A Consultant Surgeon at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Stephen Tabiri has disclosed that hernia is one of the commonest surgical conditions among human beings worldwide.

According to Prof. Tabiri, out of 10 persons examined clinically, 7 would have hernia, but many people out of shyness do not come out for early treatment.

Prof. Stephen Tabiri made this known during a special medical outreach programme at the Kwatire Polyclinic in the Sunyani West District of Brong-Ahafo as part of this year’s edition of the Annual Sports and Health Festival organized by MTN and Suncity Radio, dubbed MTN-SUNCITY FEST, 2016.

Prof. Tabiri, who led a team of Medical experts from the KomfoAnokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and the Brong-Ahafo Regional Hospital in Sunyani to undertake a three-day free health care for people with diverse ailments, including surgical cases such as hernia, fibroid and excessive bleeding of women stated that hernia is not only for males, but females as well.

He said the attendance was very impressive as on the first day, a total of 150 patients attended and 14 were surgically operated. The second day had 200 patients out of which 16 of them were surgically operated and on the last day when The Chronicle visited around 12 noon, the team had operated on 5 persons.

Prof. Tabiri disclosed that of all the cases handled – hernia, fibroid and excessive bleeding in women were high. He advised the general public to daily examine themselves and report quickly any abnormalities to the nearest health facility for treatment.

Again he advised women not to deny their husbands suffering from hernia sex, because it compels the husband to resort to excessive intake of alcohol which sometimes leads to their premature deaths.

The MTN Regional Marketing Officer in charge of the Northern Sector of Ghana, Mrs. SalomeyDarkoBruku, reiterated MTN’s commitment to the socio-economic development of Ghanaians hence the introduction of the medical outreach programme in this year’s Suncity fest.

She said the sustainability of the outreach programme would largely depend on the interest and commitment shown by the public especially those in the catchment areas. Mrs. Darko, therefore, urged the public to take advantage of the unique opportunity and avail themselves for the free medical attention in order to improve their health and living conditions.

On his part, the Director of Suncity Radio, a Sunyani based FM station, Ransford Antwi, said the inclusion of the medical outreach programme made this year’s SUNCITY Fest a unique one, adding that the free medical care has created awareness of the existence of the Kwatire Polyclinic, which has some standard facilities and equipment to meet the health needs of the people in the area and beyond.

He said the effective patronage of the Kwatire Polyclinic would help ease the pressure on the Regional Hospital in Sunyani.

Some of the beneficiaries interviewed were grateful to MTN, Suncity Radio, the medical team and all stakeholders for the support in bringing quality healthcare closer to the community. They appealed for the extension of the programme saying the three-days was too short for the numerous patients who have been suffering from diverse ailments to be treated free of charge.