0 Ghana Health Service recruits HIA and other health experts for a consultancy

The Ghana Health Service will conduct a strategic Health Impact Assessment (sHIA) of the country’s oil and gas development plan. The objectives of the sHIA are to:

• Generate a comprehensive review of human risks associated with different development scenarios for oil and gas sector, for example in the context of chemical spills, changes in communicable disease patterns, workplace based accidents and injuries etc.;

• Identify which interventions and response capacities would be needed to address those issues, including so as to not overwhelm existing health systems capacities;

• Establish a population health baseline, framework for use in monitoring and reporting of health impacts (both positive and negative) generated as a result of the growth of the petroleum industry;

• Develop Ghana’s institutional capacity for the use of HIA tools and methods for the eventual application to other sector policies, plans and projects, for example in mining, energy or agriculture.

The Ghana Health Service now invites eligible Consultants (Health Impact Assessment Specialists, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Chemical Safety Specialists) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants should provide information indicating they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, curriculum vitae etc) Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) of the Republic of Ghana.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below from 08.00hrs to 17.00 hrs GMT.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below on or before 14.00 hrs GMT, on September 03, 2012              

THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

LIMB FITTING CENTRE, TEMA STATION

NEAR RENT CONTROL

P.M.B. MINISTRIES

Tel:  (233) 0302 687853

Fax:  (233) 0302 687853 (for queries only)

E-mail: procurement@ghsmail.org

Detail: Ghana Health Service recruits HIA and other health experts for a consultancy

0 Hypertension: widely present in developing countries

Hypertension is still the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality and worldwide, more than 7 million deaths can be attributed directly or indirectly to the effects of hypertension. This major cause of morbidity and mortality affects between 20% and 50% of adults. The Lancet has dedicated a Series of three papers about hypertension

Hypertension is also very common in developing countries as around three quarters of people affected by hypertensions live in a developing region. Despite this high burden, the rates of awareness, treatment, and control are low and this situation might be attributed to several factors .

From  Ibrahim and  Damasceno article: “Several hypertension risk factors seem to be more common in developing countries than in developed regions. Findings from serial surveys show an increasing prevalence of hypertension in developing countries, possibly caused by urbanisation, ageing of population, changes to dietary habits, and social stress. High illiteracy rates, poor access to health facilities, bad dietary habits, poverty, and high costs of drugs contribute to poor blood pressure control. The health system in many developing countries is inadequate because of low funds, poor infrastructure, and inexperience.”

Detail: Hypertension: widely present in developing countries