Oyarifa residents get free medical screening

A free medical exercise for about 300 residents of Oyarifa and its environs in the Ga East Municipality was organized last Thursday with widows, widowers, orphans, single parents, and the underprivileged benefiting the most.

The medical screening exercise which covered hypertension, diabetes, and antenatal care, among other ailments, was organized by Elijeko Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the support of Stanley and Khadi Foundation, also an NGO.

The Lead Medical Officer of Elijeko Foundation, Priscilla Amma Pokuaa, a Family Medicine Physician Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital in Kumasi, expressed joy at the patronage by the chiefs and people of Oyarifa.

“Most of the older women were completely ignorant of their health status, and information about diabetes, hypertension, and even common cold are vital for them at this age,” she said, adding that “through the screening, we were able to counsel many including expectant mothers, gave them nutrition education, and provided a referral to a higher echelon of care because we want them to have optimal health care.”

According to her, Elijeko Foundation had over the years, been conducting health promotion, education, and screening in cities in the country but the festive season at Oyarifa was on “our radar because we realized the community lacked access to health facilities, especially where the elderly were unable to trek to hospitals in far distances for their care.”

Dr. Frederick Amakye of the Nsawam Government Hospital and Assistant Executive Officer of Elijeko Foundation underscored the importance of one knowing their health status and encouraged participants to seek frequent medical checkups.

The Chief Executive Officer of Stanley and Khadi Foundation, Apostle Stanley Tsedi, said his foundation made dual donations yearly, in July and December last year, saying the “July donation is solely for orphanages where we make donations in cash and in-kind to provide for their basic needs.”

A 17-year-old mother, Amanda Sowah, who was among the beneficiaries said, she could not seek medical checkups after she gave birth because she did not have the resources to do so.

“I am happy this medical team is here. I spoke to the medical officer and she told me a lot about my health, which I did not know, and I was also advised on how to keep myself and my baby healthy,” she said.

Earlier, the founder of the Elijeko Foundation, Mr. Andrews Nyantakyi, who is a US Navy Hospital Corpsman, said his organization’s vision was in solidarity with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, on health.