Medical Doctor advise workers to save towards their pension

The Senior Medical Officer in-charge of the Out-Patient Department of the Koforidua Regional Hospital, Dr. Frimpong Boateng, has advised workers to save towards their health at old age.

He also advised trade unions and workers associations to establish private health insurance schemes to avoid the embarrassment facing some of their members on retirement.

Dr Boateng was speaking at a health talk and medical screening exercise organised as part of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary of the establishment of the weekly health walk of the New Juaben Branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers in Koforidua at the weekend.

He explained that, it is often at the old age that people suffer from diseases which are expensive to treat.

He said unfortunately the National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover the cost of all diseases and drugs.

Dr Boateng said breast cancer affect both men and women although it is more common among women and called on people above 30 years to do regular breast examination and report any changes that they observe to the hospital for examination and early treatment.

He called for research into the cause of high prostate cancer in the country which is more than the world average.

Dr Boateng said the disease is one of the major killers of men worldwide.

Dr Francis Wuobar said prostate cancer could cause erectile dis-functioning, kidney failure and also spread to the bone to cause paralysis in men.

He advised men who urinate frequently at night, have difficulty starting or stopping urinating or identify blood in their urine or semen to report to the nearest hospital for examination.

Ms Naomi Larbi, Acting Matron of the Koforidua Regional Hospital advised women above 30 years to undergo mammography examination annually for early breast cancer detection and treatment.

She urged women to report to the Hospital when they observe any liquid coming from their breast when they are not breast feeding.

The New Juaben GNAT Secretary, Mr. George Aboagye said the health walk was introduced to foster unity and promote the health of members of the association although it had attracted personnel from other professions.**