KEEA launch screening programme

Elimina (C/R), Sept. 5 GNA - The Komeda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District Health Directorate on Tuesday launched a community based screening programme dubbed "Check Your Health" as part of measures to stop the spread of non-communicable diseases in the District.

The programme would enable health workers to screen communities and organization for the early detection of disease like diabetes, high blood pressure and eye diseases.

Dr Yaw Ofori-Yeboah, District Director of Health Services, at a durbar to climax the health sensitization week in the District, noted that good health was a right and not a privilege.

"It is the right of people in the District and the country as a whole to know their health status", he declared.

He expressed concern that lifestyle diseases kept on increasing in the country and urged all Ghanaian to be conscious of the relationship between lifestyle and health and therefore adopted health lifestyle like regular exercises and cutting down on fatty foods. Dr Ekow Otabil, in charge of the Ankaful Leprosarium, said he was unhappy that most Ghanaians took better care of their vehicles than themselves.

He said while cars are usually serviced at a high cost most people never went for check up and some even waited until their disease reached terminal stage before seeking medical attention. He advised all Ghanaians to go for regular check-ups for the early detection of diseases.

Dr Aaron Offei, Regional Director of Health Services, said the health week was instituted to create awareness at the community level and to equip them to make decisions that would improve their health status.

He expressed concern that the KEEA recorded the highest number of cholera cases and advised people to keep their environment clean at all times.

Mr Frank Asmah, DCE, urged the people in the District to contribute towards the National Health Insurance Scheme for them to assess affordable but quality health care. Over 200 people were screened at the function.