CAPSDH Initiates Free Skin Care Counselling In Accra

The African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters (CAPSDH) in collaboration with Rabito Group of Clinics on Wednesday, started free skin care counselling on every Thursday in Accra. The exercise would take place at the Rabito Clinic at Osu between 1000 hours to 1400 hours. Dr. Edmund Delle, President of CAPSDH announced this at a skin lecture in Accra for the staff of Metro TV, a private media house, to sensitize journalists on the health implications of bleaching and how to effectively care for the skin. The lecture was also meant to equip the media personnel about the knowledge to educate the public about products on the market that may be harmful to the skin. The lecture, which was organised by CAPSDH, was on the theme: �Skin Care, The Dangers and Legal Implications of Skin Bleaching.� Dr. Delle said when people bleach their skins became very thick and made treatment very difficult during emergency cases. They also emit bad odour and grow fat. He said bleaching removed the black pigment called Melanie from the surface of the skin, which was a vital part of the skin that protects it from the ultra violet rays of the sun. According to medical reports, skin diseases now constitutes one of the top five Out-Patient Department cases reported daily at most hospitals. Some hair dyes also causes allergic reactions because most cosmetic products brought into the country are inferior and left open in the sun, which destroy the essential components in them. Dr. Delle advised people to drink more water and eat a lot of fruits to nourish their skin. He asked ladies who wear scarf often to be careful of the type of fabric they are made of since some of the products have dyes, which dissolves into their scalp and induce itching. He said the dyes eventually enter their skin and cause infection when they scratch their bodies. Dr. Delle said parts of the body such as the armpits, in between the toes, breast that were not exposed for air should be washed carefully to avoid bacteria and fungi growth. Ms. Florence Nakazibwe, a human rights practitioner recommended to government to improve health, environmental hygiene and waste management to create a safe environment for human habitation. Ms. Nakazibwe said as part of the right to information, government must disclose to Ghanaians the underlying reason for its health priorities. She said according to the World Health Organisation, about 700,000 people die each year from taking sub-standard drugs. She therefore government asked the government to monitor and regulate drugs in the markets to ensure consumer protection against dangerous substances.