GHS, partners hold health fair in Wa

The Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Damien Punguyine, has called on the private sector, including the media to collaborate with the service to promote health services in the region.

He said although the region was improving on its health indicators, there was a need for support from the private sector to extend these services to the doorsteps of the people and also improve the well-being of the people in the region.

Dr Punguyine made the call when he opened a three-day GoodLife Health Fair organised by NORSAAC, a community engagement, human rights and policy influencing organisation, in collaboration with the Upper West Regional Directorate of GHS.

He said there were a lot of private firms in the region that could partner with the service to extend health services to the people to ensure a healthy population for the socio-economic development of the region and the country at large.

He said it was important to recognise that health was not just an individual responsibility but a community endeavour, adding, “Together we can create a supporting environment where everyone feels encouraged to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle.”

Objective

The three-day fair was to bring the provision of health care to the doorsteps of the people and also enhance health literacy and access within the communities.

It was also to generate demand for essential services and products and to foster behavioural change.

The regional director said the fair “aims to address critical health issues by providing practical demonstrations, education and access to a range of health services.”

As part of the fair, there would be health talks, medical screening, eye tests and a blood donation exercise.

There would also be talks on nutrition, reproductive health and other health-related matters by health professionals from the GHS and other private sector partners.

Support

The Executive Director of NORSAAC, Mohammed Alhassan Awal, also added his voice to the call by the Regional Director of Health to support the GHS to expand and extend its services to the people.

He said as an organisation that has worked in northern Ghana for more than 20 years, NORSAAC would “continue to provide the resources to the GHS to do what they are mandated to do.”

He expressed the hope that the youth and women groups in the region would take advantage of the health fair to have direct interaction with service providers.

The Chairman for the programme, the Paramount Chief of the Biihee Traditional Area, Naa Naatasung Jaafar Pelpuo, commended the staff of the GHS, particularly those stationed in Biihee for their professionalism and dedication to duty.

He also recommended that future fairs be organised at the traditional level to ensure that those who needed the services benefited from the fair.