By Erica Apeatua Addo
Badukrom (W/R), May 28, GNA-Dr Magdalen Bakari, Lead Specialist for Health Services, Goldfields Ghana, has called on Ghanaians to seek help from mental health professionals if they are having challenges with their mental health.
Mental health, she explained, was often misunderstood, with many people equating it to ‘madness’, but it’s so much more than that.
“We are all at risk, we all go through phases of our lives when we are not mentally healthy, and it helps to speak to someone while approaching your health care provider to get the needed assistance,” he said.
Dr Bakari gave the advice at Wangarakrom and Badukrom when a medical outreach programme was organized for the residents as part of activities to observe Mental Health Awareness month and the World Hypertension Day which falls on May 17.
Apart from educating the residents on hypertension and mental health, she also covered essential health topics to empower them with knowledge for healthier and more productive lives.
Patrons were screened for blood pressure, sugar level, malaria, breast cancer, hepatitis B, HIV, Tuberculosis, eye, dental, ear, nose, and throat diseases, and they were given free medications.
She said as a responsible corporate citizen, Goldfield’s priorities are giving back to the communities where they operate, adding, “so we decided to come to this community to screen them for various health conditions and provide treatments.”
Mr Abdul-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), said the Foundation he this health screening exercise quarterly in their host communities.
He indicated that “This time, the focus of the medical outreach has changed a bit. Preventive healthcare is our focus now, and education is a vital component”
“We are excited about the turnout, so far we have attended to 200 people, and we are targeting 800 people before we leave here,” he remarked.
Mrs Wilhemina Tiwaah Duah Morttey, Municipal Director of Health Services, Tarkwa Nsuaem, lauded the community for their active participation in the programme.
He said, “We are deeply grateful to the GFGF for collaborating with the municipal health directorate to deliver healthcare services directly to the community.”
The GFGF also facilitated free health insurance registration and renewal for hundreds of residents, who took part in the medical outreach programme.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie