Accra, March 4, GNA - Government's effort to ensure that the right of the individual to an easily accessible, equitable and comprehensive health care of the highest quality has been given impetus with the cataloging of health facilities in the country.

According to a list of health facilities published in the "Ghana 2008 Health Directory," made available to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday, there are 2,341 health facilities; 13 drug manufacturing companies and eleven international pharmaceutical companies with local representatives.

The list indicates there are 632 pharmaceuticals retail shops and 133 wholesale facilities across the country.

Explaining the rationale for the publication of the "Ghana 2008 Health Directory," Mr Dominic Oduro-Antwi, Chief Executive Officer of the Design House Project Limited, publishers, told the GNA that it sought to enhance access to health facilities.

He said the Ghana 2008 Health Directory also highlighted Ghana's Health Services, particularly the Code of Ethics - patient's rights and responsibilities; the National Drugs Policy; Food and Drugs Boards regulations; Health Insurance operations and the Pharmacy Council. Other issues included in the Health Directory are hospitals and clinics in Ghana; Institutions and Disciplines accredited; short articles on natural cocoa powder, syphilis, tetanus, breast cancer, and healthy dieting, especially the importance of breakfast. It also enlightened the public on the benefits derived from eating fruits, chocolate and the importance of sleep, as well as prevention of back injury, 76 ways that sugar could ruin your health and breastfeeding promotion regulations.

In his contribution, Mr Frank Asante, Research and Development Manager of the Cocoa Processing Company described natural cocoa powder as a functional food that was medicinal.

Mr Asante told the GNA that, even though natural cocoa powder was rich in magnesium, flavanols, theobromine, and dietary fibre, it should be consumed regularly for its numerous benefits only. He cautioned that it should not be substituted for prescribed drugs without a medical doctor's consent as it did not contain appropriate levels of all the other nutrients needed for the well-functioning of the human being.

"It is therefore recommended that you take cocoa powder, like all functional foods as an important part of an overall healthful lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and physical activity," Mr Asante stated. The drug manufacturing companies mentioned are; Ayrton Drugs, Dannex Limited, Letap Pharmaceuticals Limited, M & G Pharmaceuticals, Midland Chemists, Netherlands African Company Limited, and Olla Medicine Production. The rest are, P.Z. Industries Ghana Limited, Phyto-riker Pharmaceutical Limited, Sharp Pharmaceuticals, Starwin Products Limited, Amponsah-Effah Pharmaceuticals and Intravenous Infusions Limited. The International Pharmaceutical Companies with local representatives are; Astra Zeneca, Glaxosmithkline, Roche, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Schering Plough, Eli-Lily, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer and Janssen-Cilag. 04 March 08