It is often said that health is wealth. As a medical doctor, I am very conscious of the connection between socioeconomic factors and the health of human populations. Whether we live in a wealthy or struggling economy, we can all appreciate that good health is priceless. There may be aspects of healthcare, such as infrastructure, access, and national funding, that may be beyond our personal control, but there are still ways that we can all promote better (mental) health in our communities.
As a family doctor/General Practitioner, I am interested in providing holistic care, which involves looking after people’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. I am also interested in the long-term management of chronic health conditions and in the prevention of disease, so that we are not just focusing on curing illnesses (which are sometimes preventable) or giving up when there is no cure (especially for conditions that can be managed well at home). Life is full of challenges, including health challenges as we get older, but we can have better outcomes when we have a positive attitude towards sustainable healthcare and long-term personal health goals.
As communities and leaders, we can encourage people to make better lifestyle choices that reduce their risk of illness, allowing them to live longer in good health and contribute to society. Manpower is one of the greatest assets of Africa, but when people are plagued by (physical and mental) ill health and early death, there is little benefit in having such a huge population. Having limited resources, especially in the area of healthcare provision, we can manage those resources better by educating the general public about ways to look after their health, so that they will rarely need costly medical attention. Lifestyle improvements such as doing more exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep and reducing stress can reduce the risk of developing a stroke, heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, depression and anxiety.
Health and safety measures in our workplaces can also reduce the risk of accidents and hospitalisation, where access to specialist medical care is limited. It is important to carry out risk assessments, adequate staff training and safety reviews, as a way of health promotion. This makes staff feel valued and increases their wellbeing and job satisfaction, leading to more productivity. Regularly reviewing staff workload, salaries, and stress levels to make improvements where needed will also help to increase staff retention and wellbeing. When people are stressed due to workplace relationship issues and money problems, they are more likely to leave their jobs or make costly mistakes. Rising levels of joblessness and desperation make society less safe for everyone and can lead to rising levels of hopelessness and suicidality.
We do not have to be doctors or nurses to be able to contribute to better and sustainable healthcare in our society. We can all look after ourselves by making better lifestyle choices, especially when we know that issues like alcoholism, smoking, obesity, loneliness, and chronic stress are significant risk factors for serious (cardiovascular) illness and early death. If we are privileged to be in positions of influence, we can make or support policies that improve public health. We can also look after people around us by being available to listen and make changes where necessary, even in the workplace. We may not be able to help everyone, but we can be helpful to the nearest, at least. Change begins with one person at a time. Sometimes, it boils down to money and opportunities – the lack of which can lead to health problems and depression, so we can try to be more intentional in planning our finances and helping those who are less privileged, when we can.
Dr Afiniki Akanet is a UK General Practitioner (family doctor), the founder of Forte Charity for Inspiration, and the author of several inspirational books, including Money and Mental Wellbeing, Favourite, 2020 Year of Plenty, and Fortitude. – More info at Afiniki.co.uk
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