Families urged to know medical history for early disease detection

Dr Angel Abena Tiwaa, a Medical Officer, has urged families to know their medical history and undergo regular health checks for early disease detection. 

She said understanding family health history could help individuals identify their susceptibility to conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell disease and take preventive measures. 

Dr Tiwaa made the call at a “Health Sunday” programme organised by Resurrection Power and Living Bread Ministries International, Dansoman-My Father’s House, on the theme: “Stewarding the Family’s Health.” 

She urged people not to wait until they developed symptoms or their conditions became critical before seeking medical attention, but to undergo regular health checks and act promptly when abnormalities were detected. 

Dr Tiwaa said individuals needed to understand their bodies, identify potential health risks and make informed decisions to protect their health. 

She encouraged parents to monitor their children’s health and development, including developmental milestones and the first 1,000 days of life, which she described as critical to long-term health. 

Dr Tiwaa also urged patients to ask healthcare professionals questions about their conditions, treatment and preventive measures rather than relying solely on information provided during consultations. 

“Most people don’t ask questions. And it’s not good,” she said. 

Dr Tiwaa advised people to take prescribed medicines as directed and seek medical attention promptly when they noticed unusual symptoms. 

She urged families to plan for routine medical check-ups, prepare financially for unexpected health needs and take advantage of health insurance. 

The Medical Officer encouraged men to undergo regular medical examinations, saying her experience suggested they generally visited health facilities less frequently than women, although she had no research to support the observation. 

She said men needed to take their health seriously because of their responsibilities to their families and encouraged them to seek care early for the detection and management of diseases. 

Dr Tiwaa said family health should not be left solely to healthcare professionals, urging individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles, exercise regularly, manage stress, get adequate sleep and avoid unhealthy habits. 

She also cautioned against excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and encouraged families to incorporate physical activity, including regular walks, into their routines. 

Dr Tiwaa encouraged Christians to combine prayer and healthy living with professional medical care, saying faith should not prevent people from seeking medical attention or following medical advice. 

She said accurate health information was essential to preventive care and urged families to rely on credible sources, including qualified healthcare professionals, rather than social media alone. 

Dr Tiwaa said social media platforms such as TikTok could provide useful health information if users were able to distinguish credible information from misinformation. 

She encouraged families to discuss health openly and support one another in making healthier choices, saying a healthy family contributed to a healthy church and society. 

Dr Tiwaa said families should develop a proactive approach to health through knowledge, prevention and early health-seeking behaviour. 

Source: GNA