Avoid self medication - Medical doctor advises Asuogyaman residents

Citizens of Asuogyaman have been advised to report any form of illness to health workers at recognised facilities and avoid self medication at home as it is very dangerous.

A medical officer of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr Frank Yirenkyi, gave the advice when he led a team of 33 health workers, including medical doctors, specialists and nurses to screen the people of Asuogyaman at Atimpoku last Friday to determine their health status.

The programme was organised and sponsored by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, Mr Paul Asare Ansah, who is also a former Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

In all, 605 people were screened with one referral to the regional hospital.

They were screened for hypertension, diabetes, malaria, hernia, fibroid and prostate cancer, among others. A few cases were referred to the appropriate health facilities.

Dr Yirenkyi advised every male adult, who had attained the age of 45 and above to test for prostate cancer.

He stressed the need for them to take health issues more seriously, especially with regard to the food they ate and the environment they lived in.

Self medication

“Many a time, people who feel they are not feeling fine just go to drug stores and on the advice of people who sell the drugs they buy any drug which often worsen their situation.

This is because more often than not, if the one who prescribes the drug is not a qualified health worker, they can easily mislead you”.

“I will advise that any time you are not feeling well, you should go to health workers at even CHPS compounds where the workers have been trained and they have a fair idea about drugs if you do not have any hospital or recognised health facility nearby. They know what to do,” Dr Yirenkyi stated.

Paul Asare Ansah

Mr Asare Ansah said he was moved by the plight of many people in the area who had health issues but were unaware of them and said it was important for everyone to know his or her health status.

He thanked the management of the GPHA and friends who supported him in the endeavour.