Abusing pain killers can damage kidneys - Dr Damoah 

Dr. Baaba Damoah, President, Society of Family Physicians of Ghana (SOFPOG), has cautioned the youth in Tarkwa and its environs not to abuse pain killers (pain relief drugs) because they could damage their kidneys. 

She stated that due to the type of work and the prevalence of illegal mining operations in these areas, young people abused Tramadol and hard analgesics. 

Dr. Damoah disclosed this to journalists at the Tarkwa main lorry station when AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, in partnership with the (SOFPOG), organized a free medical outreach for the residents of Tarkwa in the Western Region. 

She spoke about the dangers of these drugs, noting that apart from damaging the kidneys, they could negatively impact the body in general. 

Some essential health services the residents received included blood sugar and pressure checks, malaria testing, hepatitis B and C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, dental and eye examination as well as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultations.

The President said, despite the rain, residents showed up in their numbers, and the medical team expected to attend to 1, 000 people by the end of the programme. 

Dr. Damoah pointed out that during the screening, they found patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, but others had no health problems, so they used the opportunity to educate them extensively on preventive health. 

According to her, the exercise formed part of the events they were holding for this year’s World Family Doctor Day, adding that, as family doctors, they came together to do this alongside their Annual General and Scientific Meeting, which would take place in Tarkwa. 

She said they saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community, thanked AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine for supporting them to make this free service available to the residents of Tarkwa and its environs. 

The SOFPOG have been in Ghana for almost 20 years, and they are people who have completed medical school, served in their capacity as doctors, and have gone back to be trained as specialists to take care of people, irrespective of their age and the disease.