By Francis Kwabena Cofie
North Legon, (G/A), Aug. 22, GNA– Women have been urged to desist from self – medication at the least indication of any infection on their body, especially their genital parts.
They have therefore been urged to seek early medical attention than resorting to self – treatment and drugs not medically recommended.
Madam Patricia Rockson Hammond, a Women’s Health Advocate gave the advice in an interview with th Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelined of health screening programme organised at the premises of Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry at North Legon, in Accra.
The event, jointly organised by Madam Patricia Hammond of “Health with Patricia Initiative” and the Office of Mr. Prince Deku, the Assembly Member for North Legon Electoral area, Shape Healthcare, CEM Lifeline Ministry and Taifa Polyclinic, was sponsored by Enterprise Group.
The rationale of the programme was to create awareness on pertinent health issues affecting women, focusing mainly on cervical cancer and vaginal infection.
Madam Hammond emphasised that one infection can mimic the other, adding that “you cannot use the same antibiotic to treat two different infections.”
She lamented over the limited awareness creation on cervical cancer, adding, however, that “each and everyday people are being diagnosed with cancer.”
According to her, this educational gap informed the decision to use her platform in collaboration with the Assembly man of the area to create more awareness in order that participants would learn to prioritise their health.
Madam Hammond underscored the significance of highlighting the prevalence of the diseases among women and their damning effect to enable women make informed decisions on their health.
As part of the programme, participants benefitted from a talk by Joseph Quartey, an obstetrician and gynaecologist from University of Ghana Medical School on cervical cancer and breast cancer.
He admonished participants to seek early treatment at approved health facilities.
There was screening on cervical cancer, breast cancer and typhoid as well as voluntary tests on HIV, hepatitis B and malaria.
Others were BMI checks and blood glucose checks, in addition to counselling on family planning and free NHIS registration and renewal.
The medical officers were drawn from the Taifa Polyclinic with medical representatives from Shape Healthcare providing support.
On his part, Mr Deku, the Assembly Member for the North Legon Electoral Area, expressed satisfaction at the rate of turn out and overall success of the event.
He said as Assembly Member, the health of the constituents remains paramount to his vision for which reason he has organised a second version of the health screening exercise to assess the health status of the people.
Apart from health, he explained that his outfit was working on a 24-hour security system to improve security in the area.
He mentioned that as part of his outlined plans other areas to be developed in the near future in the area are the inner roads, gutters and lighting system among others.
Mr. Deku indicated that his intended vision is to ensure that the health screening exercise covers the entire North Legon in the near future to give the constituents a chance to assess their health.
He called on benevolent organisations, public- spirited individuals and well- meaning Ghanaians to rally to the support of the programme to make it a greater success.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah