By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, April 20, GNA – Gospel Faith Ministries of Ghana in partnership with The Son’s Reach International, a Christian NGO, known for medical outreaches, have organised a health screening for its congregation and other community members within Aworshie and adjoining communities.
The medical screening, which included a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Card renewal and replacement service was patronized by close to 200 residents in the community.
Men, women, children and infants were screened for various medical conditions including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, eye examination, as well as ear, nose and throat examination.
There was also the testing of HIV and Syphilis as well as breast examination for women.
Those with severe conditions were given available medications with others referred to medical facilities.
Other side attraction included the distribution of clothing and drinkables to the needy who patronized the screening.
Evangelist Eric Kwame Anku, a spare parts dealer who patronized the service commended Gospel Faith Ministries for the gesture, which he said helped him to know the “true state of his health” and would enable him to take the necessary precautions.
The spare parts dealer urged other churches to emulate such community-centered programmes.
“The health screening by this church is a very good initiative that I think more churches should learn from. “Health screening by churches is an effective way to demonstrate the love that Christ showed to the world. I now know the true state of my health and will do whatever it takes to protect it,” he said.
Madam Lydia Amoahbea Mina, a retired trader and Miss Gifty Makafui Ocloo, a student who agreed with evangelist Anku’s assertion, narrated how they got to benefit from the screening.
For Madam Mina, that dream became a reality after a Gospel Faith member reached out to her while Gifty who is already a member, took the opportunity to check her health status free of charge.
“A member of this church recommended this health screening to me. I got my eyes, which I struggled to read with, checked. I have also been given free medication and undergone other tests that I did not pay a single penny for, I’m grateful for this and I give the church a thumps up,” Madam Mina said in excitement.
Gifty on the other hand said: “I commend my church for embarking on such an initiative which models the love of Jesus’ Compassion to his followers.”
Madam Mary Ansah, a seamstress and nursing mother who took the opportunity to renew the NHIS Card for her five-months baby boy, expressed gratitude to the church.
“My baby’s health insurance had expired so when I heard my sister talking about this health screening and the renewal of NHIS cards, I immediately decided to take full advantage. Thank God that I was able to renew my child’s card. I’m grateful,” she noted with a sense of gratitude.
Dr Afua Asabea Amoabeng Nti, founder of The Son’s Reach International, a partner and facilitator of the health screening, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said her organisation have realised, that the screening exercise, proved to be an effective tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people and also give them a free opportunity to be abreast with their health status.
“Medical Screening is one of the means to spread the gospel. Since we began this medical outreach four years ago, we have been able to share the love and sacrifice that Christ demonstrated to humanity to many people in areas like Nkawkaw, Accra Newtown, and Awoshie.
“We have also provided a platform for them to know their health status in order to empower them to seek further treatment, avoid new diseases and unexpected deaths,” she said.
The Revered Isaac Obed Asamoah, Head Pastor of the Gospel Faith Ministries of Ghana, said the medical screening formed part of the five-day Easter retreat held by the church on the theme: “In Him is Life.”
He said through the retreat both the physical, spiritual and health needs of the congregation and community members were catered for.
“It is necessary for the church to step in and address the physical and health needs of the individual aside that of the spirit and soul.
“Humans have three dimensions to life: the spirit, soul and body. The two can be taken care of by the church but, that of the physical also needs attention, after all, you cannot serve God properly if your physical being is not in good health,” he added.
Meanwhile the Easter retreat was climaxed at the church premises in Awoshie on Sunday, where Rev Asamoah admonished Christians to embrace Jesus Christ and allow the life that he freely gives to dwell in them and lighten their paths.
GNA
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