A renowned Ghanaian Medical Practitioner based in the United State of America, Dr. Jemima Kodua has urged Ghanaians to eat balanced diet, undertake regular body exercises and go for regular medical checkups to detect any health abnormalities early for prolonged life. She noted that a sick and ill-health population negatively affects productivity and nation building. Dr. Jemima Kodua made the call at a free health screening event organized for residents of Banko in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti region.
The health screening was organized and sponsored by Dr. Jemima Kodua in honour of her late mother, Mrs. Mary Amoasoh who was a retired Senior Nursing Officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. About 500 people benefitted from the health screening. A team of doctors led by a former Energy Minister and a lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Oteng Adjei and health specialists from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Jachie Pramso Anglican Hospital, Nkawie-Toaso Government Hospital and Banko Health facility screened residents of various ailments.These included hypertension, malaria, eye problems, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and worm infestation. Medicine worth 12 thousand Cedis were given free of charge to those who needed treatment. The Medical Superintendent at the Nkawie/Toaso Government Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Boamah, urged the people to consciously practice preventive healthcare to help prevent contracting both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
A former Energy Minister and a lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Oteng Adjei commended successive governments for initiating human-centered policies such as National Health Insurance Scheme and Community Health Planning and Services, CHPS initiatives, both aimed at addressing some of the shortfalls in the country’s healthcare system. Professor Oteng Adjei also commended children’s of late Mrs. Mary Amoasoh for its concern for the health of people in the community, He said good health is a vital ingredient for nation building and therefore urged the indigenes to practice good hygiene and also strictly adhere to preventive etiquette to control the spread of covid-19.
On her part, Dr. Jemima Kodua paid tribute to her late mother for the major role played in offering quality health care delivery not only at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where she served before her retirement but in every other health facility she worked. She encouraged residents of Banko seek for early treatment of various ailments. She urged Ghanaians to eat balanced diet, undertake regular body exercises and go for regular medical checkups to detect any health abnormalities early for prolonged life.
Evangelism at the events led by ministers of the gospels from both Methodist and Presbyterian church with the help of Adum Ramseyer Presbyterian church Outside Broadcasting Van saw scores of patients who benefited from the health screening also received spiritual healings, health and covid-19 education. Dr. Jemima Kodua call on various religious faiths and benevolent organizations to contribute their quota to complement government’s effort in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the rural folks. She said it is time both the state and private concerns place premium on the quality health and wellbeing of Ghanaians by ensuring that the sick receive the best curative healthcare. Dr. Jemima Kodua, however noted that in the Orthodox Church system, the
preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ has always gone hand in hand with evangelization and with taking care of the education and health needs of people.
Some beneficials who spoke to the media team recollected found memories of the late Mrs. Mary Amoasoh for her selfless and dedicated service rendered not only Ashanti region but Ghana as a whole. They expressed gratitude to the children particularly Dr. Jemima Kodua for the gesture and therefore appealed for more of this health education, screening and evangelism exercise.
Highlight of the event was the donation of an ambulance to the Banko Health Centre by the Banko Citizens Association of the USA.