Renowned cellular pathologist and lifestyle wellness consultant, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, has advised against communal eating from one bowl to prevent the spread of Hepatitis B. Speaking at the Ghana Shippers Authority Hall in Accra, Prof. Akosa explained that eating soupy foods like fufu, omo tuo, or tuo zaafi together from a shared bowl can result in individuals "swallowing saliva" from one another.

During the discussion, Prof. Akosa noted that people often put their hands in their mouths and then dip them back into the communal soup, which can mix saliva with the food. This behavior can easily spread Hepatitis B if any participant is infected. He emphasized the risks associated with such traditional practices and urged the public to adopt healthier eating habits.

Prof. Akosa, a former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), was speaking at a session aimed at promoting quality health in Ghana. He stressed the need for increased awareness and education on the transmission of diseases through communal eating.

Reflecting on past communal practices, Prof. Akosa stated, "Once upon a time, we were all there, there was group participation, group eating, group everything... And even the eating, it was later on that I realized that this is how we spread Hepatitis B. We didn't know that. We are all eating fufu, and by the time you finish, you are drinking saliva."

He continued, "I mean five, six of you, you are doing omo tuo or you are doing fufu, what do you think you are doing? You are going in like that and then you come in, by the time you are ending, you are drinking saliva. It is the easiest way to spread Hepatitis B."

Prof. Akosa's remarks were made during the Graphic National Dialogue Series, a forum organized by the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. This event provides a platform for discussing development issues in a non-partisan environment and aims to gather ideas to influence policymaking.

Joining Prof. Akosa in the discussion was Prof. Aaron Abuosi, a health policy and management expert. Both speakers shared insights on achieving "Quality Health for All," contributing to the latest edition of the Graphic National Dialogue Series.

The series, designed to foster national consensus, included a plenary session where expert speakers delivered papers on various topics aligned with the theme. The event aims to shape policy at different levels of society through comprehensive discussions and expert contributions.

Source by Graphic Online