Apedwa residents benefit from free health screening

The Mother-Love Hospital in Accra last Saturday organised a free health screening exercise for residents of Apedwa and surrounding communities in the East Akim Municipality in the Eastern Region.

The people were screened for health conditions and ailments such as blood pressure, hypertension, blood sugar level, diabetes, eye disorders, skin diseases, Hepatitis B, prostate cancer and malaria through the Rapid Diagnostic Test, among others.

They were also educated on good eating habits, while Ms Linda Dakurah, an official from the Narcotics Control Board, sensitised them to the dangers of drug abuse.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Nana Kwame Appiah Nkansa, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that some of the beneficiaries had not been undertaking regular medical check-ups and that had affected their health.

He said those who had serious health conditions were referred for further medical attention, while those with minor ailments were treated and given medication.

Dr Nkansa said medical personnel from the hospital and other health facilities, including laboratory technicians, pharmacists, dieticians, dermatologists and otolaryngologists, examined the people and offered appropriate advice.

Rural setting

The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Mr Kwasi Nkansa, said the management chose a rural setting to enable the rural folk, who could not afford high medical bills, to benefit.

“We believe that there are a lot of ailments that are hidden in people and we wanted the free medical screening to identify the prevalent diseases in the area, so that afterwards, the health directorate will follow up and address them,” he said.

The Krontihene of Apedwa, Nana Boafo Oworae Antwi Kokroko II, commended the organisers for showing love towards the members of the community.

He asked individuals and philanthropic organisations to emulate the shining example of the hospital and support the under-privileged in society.

He said cases of malaria, diabetes and knee pains were prevalent and that most residents did not have the financial resources to seek treatment, while the only health centre in the town lacked adequate resources to treat patients.

Therefore, he said, residents travelled long distances to Kyebi, Suhum and Asafo for medical care at a higher cost and appealed to the government to come to their aid.

Co-founder of hospital

The free medical screening was organised in memory of the late Mrs Margaret Nkansa, a co-founder of the hospital who hailed from Apedwa, to mark the fifth anniversary of her demise and acknowledge her contributions and meritorious services to humanity.

The exercise, the second by the hospital, was sponsored by SKYMED (gloves and disposables), Fairline, Flokefama, Sochiba, Mpharma, Gokals Limited, M&G Pharmaceuticals, Mays Surgical, Ntim-Asamoah Metal Engineering, Standard Specialist Clinic, Renie Chemist Limited, 1st Platinum Limited and Asoreba Studios.

The hospital was partnered by the Narcotics Control Board, the Ghana News Agency, UTV, TV3, the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times.— GNA