The Duala Medical Centre has held a health talk on ‘Substance Use Disorder’ (SUD) and Breast Cancer on Thursday 26 October 2023 at the Air Force Headquarters. The health talk forms part of the Ghana Armed Force’s efforts to promote good health care among personnel. 

In a presentation, a Clinical Psychologist from the Therapy and Wellness Department of 37 Military Hospital, Ms Akpene Adzo Ocloo spoke widely about SUD.  She stated that, SUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease which is characterised by compulsive drug seeking and use of psychoactive substances despite its harmful consequences. According to her, any individual whose life is dependent on drugs has a substance use disorder.

By way of an advice, she urged personnel not to take any form of drug that is not prescribed by a doctor. She charged them to desist from patronizing drugs from unapproved sources and also refrain from the abuse of smoking and drinking alcohol.  That notwithstanding, she emphasized that professionals are available to help them at any point in their recovery journey.

The Head of Public Health at the Duala Medical Center, Dr Ewura Adjoa Ahimah Nunoo, also took Personnel through lectures on signs and symptoms of breast cancer. She advised them to take the opportunity of the breast cancer awareness month to visit any medical facility to get examined. 

 The Director Air Force Religious Affairs, Colonel Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode on his part commended the organizers for the thought provoking and impactful session in the vital area of health.