Wilmar Africa Limited, producers of cholesterol free edible oil, Frytol, has joined the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Cardiothoracic Centre to commemorate the 2020 World Heart Day.
Thus, to celebrate the Day marked on September 29 each year by the World Heart Federation to draw people’s attention to heart diseases and how they can be avoided, Wilmar launched the ‘Frytol Heart’ campaign.
The initiative is aimed at driving awareness on healthy lifestyle to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases and support heart surgeries for under privileged children.
It will also educate Ghanaians on preventive and curative measures for cardiovascular diseases through healthy tips on both digital and traditional media.
The General Manager of Wilmar Africa Ltd, Kwame Wiafe, said the campaign would not only create an opportunity for people to have access to information on cardiovascular diseases in the comfort of their homes but also give support to children of the cardiothoracic center in Ghana.
Wilmar Africa Ltd presented GH¢100,000 to the National Cardiothoracic Centre as part of its “Frytol Healthy Hearts Campaign.
“We want to assure Ghanaians that in our commitment to contribute to healthy living, Frytol Vegetable Oil will continue to provide consumers with the pure cholesterol free oil they need and can trust as well as intervene socially to support, where possible,” he said.
The Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) Korle-Bu, Dr. Lawrence Agyeman Sereboe, urged citizens particularly the youth to desist from smoking and drinking excessive alcohol in order to reduce their risk of heart diseases.
He, instead, called for healthy eating habit and regularly exercises which was critical to health hearts.
Dr Sereboe also encouraged the public to frequently conduct checkups on their hearts, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the era of Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Agyeman Sereboe said “Hospital attendance has declined in this era of Covid-19 because of the fear of contracting the virus. We know that worldwide, heart diseases account for 25% of deaths for non-communicable diseases making heart disease the leading cause of deaths. Stop excessive alcohol intake, fats, Shisha smoking, avoid unhealthy diet and obesity”.
He added that “It’s estimated that about 17 million people die from heart-related illnesses annually and this figure is estimated to rise to about 23 million by 2030”.
General Secretary of Ghana Medical Association Dr Justice Yankson advised the public to “keep a healthy heart. Without the functional heart, you’re gone. So eat properly, healthy diets, less cholesterol, stop toxic materials, excess salts, regularly check your blood pressure as you hit age 30 and above.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri