GAF Critical Care Hospital organises free Kidney screening exercise
The Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital (GAFCCEH), in partnership with the Ghana National Gas Limited, has organised a free kidney screening exercise and check-up at the 37 Lorry Station for drivers and the general public as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Kidney Day celebrations.
The event, which began with a float from the premises of the GAFCCEH, was also used to exercise and keep the body fit while creating awareness of the disease.
It was on the theme: “Are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health”.
The Commander of GAFCCEH, Brig. Gen. Evelyn Vivian Abraham-Kwabiah; the Head of Department of the Surgical Division of the hospital, Brig. Gen. Thomas Aquinas Gbireh; the acting Commanding Officer of GAFCCEH, Lt. Col. Richard Otchere Mintah; the Chief Nursing Officer, Col. Evelyn Azera, and the Administrative Officer, Capt. Irene Boahemaa Koranteng, among others, were present at the event.
Activities
The celebration began with a float from the premises of GAFCCEH through the Mother Care International School Junction, Elwak Sports Stadium, through the Lands Commission traffic intersection to the 37 Lorry Station.
In the process, the public, including drivers, had their blood pressure, sugar level, weight and other health-related issues checked for free.
The event was sponsored by the Ghana National Gas Limited Company as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Significance
At the lorry station, the Physician Specialist of GAFCCEH, Dr Ahmed Qinan Lukeman, disclosed that about 13 per cent of Ghanaians suffer from chronic kidney diseases, adding that many of them were not able to pay for dialysis treatment leading to loss of lives.
He explained that kidneys performed vital roles in the body; hence, the need to keep it safe from damage by exercising regularly, ensuring proper hydration and eating balanced diets.
Dr Lukeman mentioned the abuse of painkillers, smoking, drinking alcohol, hypertension and diabetes as key causes of kidney disorder.
Partnership
The Community Relations and CSR Officer of Ghana National Gas Limited Company, Bright Ohene Okyere, said their partnership with the GAF Critical Care and Emergency Hospital was in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility of which accessible health care was part.
Some members of staff of the company who were involved in the screening exercise were the Manager of Community Relations and CSR, Fidelia Ohemaa Adjoyi, and the Senior Manager of Government Relations, Augustine Asare Osei.
For his part, the Area Sales Manager of MTN Ghana, Andy Coffie, explained that they were at the event to support the screening exercise and also showcase their products.
