By: Akpabli Daniel Yao| ignewss| Dzodze
A non-Governmental Organisation, SOSSAH foundation, in collaboration with the St Anthony’s hospital have taken the 2023 end of year free health screening exercise and treat programme to Tornu in the Ketu North municipality of the Volta region.
The exercise targeted all residents including the aged, Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s), women and children within Tornu and its adjoining communities such as Kpelikorpe, Wugagorme, Avape, among others.
The programme which drew staff from the St Anthony’s hospital aimed at taking participants through a free health screening and public health education activities for a healthy living.
As part of the programme, residents who were not in good health conditions were given some medications to manage their conditions while advise were given to some of them regarding their health status and others referred to the St Anthony’s hospital for further examination and treatments.
Speaking to the media, Madam Quist Justine, a principal nursing officer, head of public health department at St Anthony’s hospital and the SOSSAH foundation country representative and Advising ambassador outlined their programme activities.
She noted that patronage of health care facilities by residents in these villages are very low hence the need to take health care delivery to their door step.
She also educated patrons on the issue of high blood pressure, its symptoms and health implications and the need to live a healthy life.
She said, SOSSAH foundation will not relent on their effort in addressing the health needs of residents in the various communities adding that residents in these remote communities most especially the aged and PWD’s need good care and assistance.
She further thanked Annemieke De Bruijckere, the President of SOSSAH foundation and board members as well as management and staff of St Anthony’s hospital for their sponsorships and support throughout the year, 2023.
She also called on other benevolent groups and individuals to see the issues of the aged, PWD’s and children as their responsibility and focus their attention to offer support in addressing them.
Godwin G.K Dorvlo, a Senior physician at the St Anthony’s hospital observed that, the programme has come at the right time as he observed that, many hypertensive patients in the communities have defaulted in their medication.
Health information officer at the St Anthony’s hospital, Ahiatsi Francis, Kwami educated residents on the importance of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the need for every member of the community to register under the scheme.
However, the Assembly member elect of Deme,Tove, Tornu electoral area, Hon Mike Etsey Kpordzo expressed gratitude to SOSSAH and staff and management of the St Anthony’s hospital for the kind gestured.
He further called for a collaboration from other well-meaning individuals and groups in support of SOSSAH’s efforts to reach out to other communities.
Participants were giving the opportunity to ask health related questions for redress. Food and drinks were served as well as other forms of lined up activities to entertain patrons.
Source: www.ignewss.com|Ghana