Ms. Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Health Focal Person at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, has cautioned adolescents and young people against the frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills, warning that abuse could have adverse health implications.

She explained that emergency contraceptive pills contained significantly higher levels of hormones compared to standard daily contraceptives.

Ms. Ocansey noted that while regular contraceptive pills were designed to be taken over a 28-day cycle, emergency pills were intended strictly for use within 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

She cautioned that repeated intake of such high hormonal doses, which the body did not require on a regular basis, could result in menstrual irregularities and possible fertility challenges.

Ms. Ocansey emphasized the need for health personnel to continue promoting abstinence among adolescents and young people, even though many were sexually active.

She said that while condoms and other contraceptive methods were available, condoms remained the only option that provided dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. She added, however, that condoms did not offer 100 percent protection.

According to her, abstinence remained the only guaranteed way of preventing both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Touching on defilement and rape, Ms. Ocansey said healthcare providers were often the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse.

She explained that while medical personnel provided immediate care, including testing and treatment for infections, responsibility for social interventions such as reporting cases to the appropriate authorities fell within the mandate of the District Social Welfare Office.

On abortion, Ms. Ocansey highlighted the health risks associated with the practice, particularly among young girls.

Responding to questions about allegations of healthcare workers performing abortions privately in their homes, she clarified that such acts were illegal and constituted a criminal offense.

She urged health professionals to report colleagues found to be engaging in such unlawful practices.

Ms. Ocansey advised young people against unsafe termination of pregnancies and encouraged them to seek care from recognized health institutions for their medical needs, rather than resorting to harmful concoctions and presenting at hospitals only when complications arose.

graphic.com.gh

Parliament on Wednesday passed the National Health Insurance Fund Amendment Bill, paving the way for the transfer of 20 percent of revenues generated by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as Mahama Cares.

The new legislation, if assented to by the President, would halt all input tax deductions on the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) levy.

The allocation of 20 percent to the Medical Trust Fund is expected to support programs targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to pose major public health challenges in the country.

During the debate preceding its passage, sharp divisions emerged between the Majority and Minority Caucuses over the origins of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The NPP Minority strongly maintained that the initiative was first introduced in 2003 under President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, which provided primary healthcare to ordinary citizens who previously had to make upfront payment before receiving medical attention.

Members of the NDC Majority Caucus, however, countered that the NHIS was conceived during the tenure of President Jerry John Rawlings.

The passage of the Bill marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to expand healthcare financing and strengthen support for critical health interventions.

myjoyonline.com

During a market surveillance investigation at Awoshie and Boundary Road in Accra between November 22 and 24, 2025, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) seized 98 unlicensed herbal medical goods.

Popular goods that were being sold without the necessary FDA registration include Poget Herbal Mixture, Amenazel Herbal Tonic, and Amenazel Herbal Bitters.

The Authority claims that the operation is a component of continuing national initiatives to safeguard public health by taking potentially dangerous and unauthorized items off the market.

The FDA emphasized that enforcement actions will step up in the upcoming weeks and warned manufacturers and dealers who continue to distribute unregistered goods.

“To those selling unregistered products, we will not relent in our commitment to ensuring public health and safety, so sooner than you think we will get to you,” the Authority warned.

All seized products will undergo safe disposal in line with FDA protocols.