Op-Ed: How many times have you fallen sick (ill) and realised that without getting an antidote to your ailment you risk being totally incapacitated or possibly breathing your last breath? If your answer is every time then it is a testament to the fact that your health is inextricably tied to your life on earth.
Indeed, good health, on one hand, and all things being equal, is a basic determinant of how positive your life’s existence will turn out while present in your body on this planet earth.
Of course, bad health, on the other hand, determines a negative impact on your life as far as your existence on earth is concerned.
Meaning of health
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines HEALTH as a “State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” – (WHO Constitution 1946).
Three implications from the WHO’s definition of health
The first important implication of the foregoing definition on Health lays much emphasis on the phrase: “not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Indeed, when one does not experience any diseases and infirmities, be they mild, serious or chronic within oneself or any part of the body for many years, should not be concluded thatone is healthy and, therefore, having a perfectwell-being. Of course, health may be complete but not necessarily perfect.
We can still draw a second important implication from the phrase: “NOT MERELY THE ABSENCE OF DISEASE AND INFIRMITY. The phrase simply implies that there is nothing like perfect or sound health just because one does not experience signs and symptoms of diseases and infirmities. If there is anything like perfect or sound health, then that will be an ideal situation. But there is nothing like an ideal situation on earth. Things look distorted and we are trying to find remedies to each one of them.
The third implication is that, because there is nothing like perfect or sound health is the most reason why humans must cultivate the habit of seeking preventive health rather than a curative one. This is simply because, if one feels very strong physically and mentally yet detached from his family, friends and larger society makes one unhealthy socially.
This is because humans are gregarious beings who are prone to living in social groups and relating to their own kind. The same is true for an individual who is physically strong and has a well-established social relations yet have sleepless nights because he is experiencing mental trauma as a result of pressure exerted on him at work or a loss of his precious property be it land, investments or any other delicate possession.
Good Health
Health is good when one does so well in any given situation in ensuring that one seeks a complete physical, mental and social well-being for himself. Good health demands that one does not self- medicate which in turn makes one addictive to particular drugs, medicines or substances.
Health is good when one seeks quick medical attention, should the need arise, at recognised health facilities. Health is equally good when one follows religiously all instructions given by a health practitioner who is legally, professionally and socially recognised.
Good health requires from you that you pay regular visits to recognised health facilities for a regular check-ups in order to ascertain the latest status of your health in general. Most Ghanaians have gained the notoriety of staying away from the health facilities for regular check-ups.
They only visit a health centre when their health status goes bad or deteriorates. Finally, good health requires that you take a break from your heavy work schedules. You need to rest and have some leisure in order to regain some freshness of body, soul and mind to enable you face the drudgeries of your work schedules.
Bad Health
Those who are always on the go trying to make money yet not giving due and reasonable attention and concerns for their physical, mental and social well-being are putting themselves at risk and digging their own graves prematurely.
It is bad health to self-medicate instead of consulting with a health practitioner because you do not want to miss your lectures, you have an important business connection to follow up on or you see visiting the health facility as a waste of time.
Those who value money at the expense of their health are putting themselves in grave danger. After all, you brought nothing to this world and, certainly, would take nothing along with you in your silent grave.
Conclusion
Health is an essential part of human existence. Health should be everybody’s serious concern. Apart from seeking God’s kingdom first and foremost, your health and that of your family should be your next priority. Take everything into consideration and leave out health and you will be spelling your doom. Be reminded at all times that HEALTH IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE PART OF YOUR EXISTENCE AS A HUMAN BEING. HEALTH IS SECOND-TO-NONE. And it is YOU who MUST TAKE YOUR HEALTH AS A PRIORITY.
The author is George Anthony Wireko, a teacher, social worker and writer from Ghana.
Disclaimer: As UG Reports Media LTD, we welcome any opinion from anyone if it’s constructive for the development of Uganda. All the expressions and opinions in this write-up are not those of UG Reports Media Ltd. but of the author of the article.
Would you like to share your opinion with us? Please send it to this email: theugreports@gmail.com.
