Hypertension is a Silent Killer of Teachers – GNAT Cautions
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed concern over the rising number of teacher deaths in the Central Region, linking many of these fatalities to hypertension and related health conditions.
According to GNAT, the challenging working environment and the nation’s economic difficulties have placed enormous stress on teachers, resulting in serious health problems.
Mr. Isaac Asante Frimpong, Cape Coast Metro Chairman of GNAT, highlighted the alarming situation during the GNAT Wesley Local Meeting in Cape Coast.
He attributed the increasing prevalence of hypertension among teachers to financial hardship, a high dependency ratio, and the lack of corresponding salary adjustments to match inflation.
“The difficult economic climate, coupled with demanding working conditions, has caused many teachers to experience severe stress. This pressure is affecting their health and leading to premature deaths,” Mr. Frimpong noted.
The meeting, organized by GNAT Wesley Local in partnership with The Yes We Cann Foundation—an NGO focused on educating the public on kidney disease prevention—aimed to promote better health practices among teachers.
Mr. Frimpong encouraged teachers to adopt healthier lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity, medical check-ups, and early detection of diseases to prevent serious complications.
He also criticized the tendency of many Ghanaians to delay seeking medical care until symptoms become severe.
“Waiting until a disease has advanced before going to the hospital can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and proper management are essential,” he emphasized.
Mr. Frimpong further explained that maintaining blood pressure through a combination of medication and a healthy lifestyle is crucial to avoiding severe health outcomes such as heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.
Providing insight into kidney disease, Mr. Albert Kusi Tawiah, a Senior Staff Nurse at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, explained that the condition occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter waste effectively, leading to a build-up of toxins in the body. This can cause further complications, including cardiovascular diseases.
He identified key risk factors for kidney disease, including tobacco use, high salt consumption above the World Health Organization’s recommended five grams per day, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse.
Additionally, he pointed out that certain risk factors—such as age (over 65 years), family history of hypertension, and underlying health conditions like diabetes—cannot be changed but require careful monitoring.
Mr. Tawiah stressed that early diagnosis and proper management of hypertension are essential to prevent avoidable deaths and long-term health problems.
Echoing these concerns, Mr. Thomas Cann, the Founder of The Yes We Cann Foundation, criticized the growing reliance on prayer camps for medical conditions. He urged the public to prioritize professional healthcare over unproven spiritual remedies.
“While spiritual solutions may have their place, medical care should always be the first step in addressing health concerns,” Mr. Cann remarked.
GNAT’s message serves as a reminder to teachers and the public to take preventive measures and prioritize their health to avoid the devastating effects of hypertension and related diseases.
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