Tarkwa (WR), Oct. 15, GNA – A New Patriotic Party (NPP) Regional Secretary aspirant for the Western Region, Mr Charles Cobbina, has organised a free health screening exercise for over 200 delegates and residents in Tarkwa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
In observing the month of October as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the occasion was also used to educate the populace both male and females on some risk factors, symptoms and myths of breast cancer while some female patrons were also taught the correct procedure for self-breast examination.
The initiative, dubbed, “Ahwenepa Nkasa Medical Tent” was carried out in collaboration with members of the Kempes Health Campaign Team made up of health professionals, communication experts and philanthropists led by a doctor and six (6) nurses drawn from the Western Region.
The exercise, which was held at the George Grant University of Mines and Technology campus during the Western Regional Delegates Conference of the NPP provided an opportunity for the over 200 beneficiaries to be screened for various health conditions, including blood and glucose content levels, hypertension and body mass index (BMI) among others.
In addition, free medicines such as multivitamins, antimalaria and dewormers among others were also given to beneficiaries with regards to their needs.
Majority of the beneficiaries were stable clinically, though about 45% of the clients had been diagnosed with various non-communicable disorders paramount of which was mainly Hypertension and diabetes with about ten (10) of them being newly diagnosed of hypertension and thus referred for further management.
For the stable clients, there were one-on-one counselling sessions geared towards addressing issues of non-compliance such as side effects of some commonly used oral antihypertensive amidst the repercussions of the non-compliance.
Those with immensely high Blood Pressures were guided to the various nearest health facilities for further management, while others who had been diagnosed of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus received counselling on diet therapy and compliance with oral hypoglycemic agents.
Some of the beneficiaries, who were identified as suffering from malnutrition, were counselled on a good diet and also given some food supplements while education on healthy lifestyles that would enable them to avoid diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, among others were also given.
Madam Anasthasia Ocran, Spokesperson of the Kempes Health Campaign Team told the GNA that the exercise was to provide health support to people and introduce to them the interest of Mr Charles Cobbina towards their health and wellbeing.
She announced that the expectation of the team was to show love and support to Ghanaians through the provision of various health care assistance and to attend to the health needs of the people, which included giving medical advice and tips to remain healthy.
She said many of the populace were ignorant of their health status, and that the situation often resulted in disease complications and the resultant high cost of treatment or loss of lives in the long run and therefore, appealed to the public to make their health a priority, just as they treated their work and its related matters.
Mr Charles Cobbina, affectionately called in political circles as Kempes, explained that regular medical check-ups were part of a healthy lifestyle and for that matter the team believed that to sustain a stronger party, members must have a sustained good health of the regime, hence, the reason for the Ahwenepa Nkasa Medical Tent.
He indicated that though he had interest in the upcoming NPP Regional Elections as Secretary aspirant, he had profound interest in the general good and welfare of fellow patriots, and would be glad to introduce the Prioritize Patriots Development (PPD) initiative to help the NPP Party to become much stronger in the Western Region.
Some of the beneficiaries the GNA interacted with after the exercise, expressed gratitude to the aspirant Mr Cobbina and the “Ahwenepa Nkasa Medical Tent”, for giving them the chance to be screened for certain diseases as well as having been educated on healthy lifestyle and urged the team to continue with its good work.
GNA