The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has called for a more integrated and collaborative approach to addressing cardiometabolic diseases in Ghana and across Africa.

Speaking at the dissemination event of CREATE and the launch of the The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Review Series, she warned that the continent is already grappling with a growing burden of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

“We are no longer preparing for a rising burden of cardiometabolic diseases; we are already living in it,” she stated.

Mrs. Darko-Opoku emphasised that the traditional approach of managing such conditions in isolation is no longer effective, urging stakeholders to adopt coordinated, patient-centred healthcare systems.

She described CREATE as a transformative initiative that promotes a shift from fragmented care to integrated service delivery, focusing on practical, scalable solutions that can improve outcomes for patients.

According to her, the future of healthcare delivery lies in collaboration across sectors, integration of services, and the development of systems that respond effectively to the needs of communities.

The event brought together health experts, researchers, and policymakers to discuss strategies for improving the management of cardiometabolic diseases and strengthening health systems across Africa.