CSOs urged to focus on the deprived

Madam Mavis Ama Frempong, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, has called on civic society organizations (CSOs) to fight for the right of the vulnerable in the society to help promote development.

She said, government alone could not undertake all the development projects required by the country, hence the need for such organizations to come on board to assist.

Madam Frempong was speaking at the launching of the Rotary Family Health Day (RFHD), under the theme:’’ Healthy Families, Healthy Communities’’, which seeks to encourage people to check their health status and other related health conditions at Koforidua.

She indicated that government spent GHC 8 billion on healthcare annually which was not enough and pleaded with other organizations to support and commended the Rotary Club for their achievement in fostering for development over the years.

Baffour Nyantakyi Boateng Tutu, the Krontihene of the New Juaben Traditional Area observed that many diseases that affected a significant proportion of the population could be controlled by bringing healthcare closer to the people who have less access to healthcare.

He appealed to the Rotary Club to assist the Koforidua Nursing and Midwifery Training School with some equipment to facilitate studies at the school.

Ms Marigold Korri, Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of RFHD, said the Rotary Family Health Day has benefited 23,000 people in about 30 communities throughout the Greater Accra Region since last year as part of the contribution of Rotary Club to humanity.

She said 40,000 people from 40 communities in the Eastern, Central, Volta and the Greater Accra Regions would benefit from this year’s exercise.

Mr Jeff Afful,a member of the committee, said the Club would establish sites in the communities for the people to access health care.

Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area would have 21 of such sites, Apam two, Ho 10, Koforidua three, Swedru two and Winneba two sites.

He indicated that services such as blood pressure and blood sugar screening, HIV testing and counseling, TB screening, all childhood immunizations and vitamin A supplementation as well as condom distribution are free.

Whiles other services such as Eye screening and free mosquito bed net distribution would be organized at the sites while USAID partners, Health Keepers Network and WASH 4H would provide family planning and hand washing Services respectively.

Mr Philip Appia-Kumi, President of the Eastern Regional Rotary Club, said the Koforidua Rotary branch has undertaken numerous initiatives that have changed lives and helped the underprivileged in the society.