Offinso North MP calls for Nationwide Policy for Mandatory Periodic Health Checkups
Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Member of Parliament for Offinso North, has called for a national policy that mandates annual medical checkups for all adult Ghanaians, especially city dwellers and public officials.
Speaking passionately on the matter, Dr. Asamoah stressed that non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease are on a troubling rise in the country, often going undetected until it is too late.
“All I’m advocating for is a national policy that ensures every Ghanaian undergoes an annual wellness visit to check their health status.
Conditions like high blood pressure, elevated sugar levels, and cholesterol imbalances don’t just appear overnight—they build up silently over time,” he stated.
According to him, fear of diagnosis keeps many people away from medical checkups, despite the fact that early detection can lead to timely intervention and save lives.
“People are afraid of being told they have hypertension or diabetes. But it’s always better to know early and take steps than to be caught off guard by cardiac arrest or sudden death,” he emphasized.
He further noted that when people become bedridden due to preventable illnesses, the burden does not fall on the individual alone it becomes a collective cost to families, communities, and the state.
“This is why we must act proactively. Let’s be the first country in Africa to implement a large-scale preventive healthcare policy focused on annual wellness checks for everyone aged 18 and above,” he urged.
Dr. Asamoah believes that such a policy could not only reduce the national health burden but also significantly increase life expectancy and improve overall public health.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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