The Principal Mental Health Officer at the Lekma Hospital, Miss Esther Kussi, has cautioned individuals living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and mental health disorders not to compromise their treatment routines during the festive season.
Speaking on the Adekye mu nsem programme on Ahotor FM, hosted by Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku, Miss Kussi explained that the excitement, social engagements, and busy schedules associated with festive celebrations often cause patients to neglect their prescribed medications. She noted that health facilities usually record a rise in complications after festive periods, as many patients return in worsened conditions due to skipped or inconsistent medication.
According to her, even missing medication for a single day can significantly undo progress made over weeks or months of treatment. She stressed that medications prescribed for chronic illnesses are not optional and must be taken consistently to maintain stability and prevent relapse.
Miss Kussi further expressed concern that some patients deliberately adjust their medication schedules to suit social programmes rather than following doctors’ instructions. She warned that altering prescribed times disrupts treatment effectiveness and often pushes patients “back to square one” in their recovery.
Beyond medication adherence, she cautioned against poor dietary choices during the festive season. She observed that many patients with chronic conditions are advised to avoid certain foods but ignore these restrictions in the spirit of celebration. Such dietary indiscipline, she said, can trigger serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications.
She therefore appealed to patients and their families to prioritise health over social enjoyment, emphasising that celebrations can still be enjoyed responsibly. Miss Kussi concluded that strict adherence to medication schedules, dietary guidelines, and medical advice remains the most effective way to prevent avoidable emergencies and hospital admissions during and after the festive season.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku