By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Akatsi (V/R), June 19, GNA – The Sogakope Area of the Church of Pentecost has conducted a free medical screening exercise for more than 300 residents of Akatsi and its surrounding communities as part of efforts to promote preventive healthcare and improve access to quality health services.
The exercise, held at the Akatsi Market on Thursday, was organised in collaboration with the Church’s ‘Ministry to Okada Riders’ and the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM).
Beneficiaries, including traders, commercial (Okada riders) and private motorbike operators, members of the Church and the general public, underwent various health screenings and received free medication.
As part of the exercise, 51 new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards were issued free of charge, while more than 200 expired cards were renewed at no cost to beneficiaries.
A total of 27 Okada riders participated in the screening and health insurance registration and renewal exercise.
Reverend Prosper Kpeli, the Sogakope Area Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) Leader, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, saying the initiative formed part of the Church’s mission to support community health and complement government efforts at promoting preventive healthcare.
He said the outreach was intended to bring essential healthcare services closer to the people, particularly vulnerable groups and those who might find it difficult to access regular medical care.
Rev Kpeli noted that the entire four-day exercise was being held under the auspices of Apostle Edward Brains Agidi-Quarshie, the Sogakope Area Head of the Church of Pentecost.
He said the beneficiary communities of the outreach programme included Akatsi, Sogakope, Adidome and Dabala.
Rev Kpeli said the exercise was expected to record thousands of beneficiaries across the four communities, with a team of medical experts and officers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) leading the screening, treatment, registration and renewal services.
He added that the exercise was also aimed at expressing the love of God to mankind through these essential services by the Church.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Church for the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial, particularly because of the free medical screening, medication and NHIS registration and renewal services.
The Church of Pentecost has over the years undertaken several social intervention programmes, including health outreaches, educational support and humanitarian activities, as part of its mission to positively impact communities across the country.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel