Mission donates drugs

Accra, July 19, GNA - An international Christian mission based in Detroit, Michigan in the United States, Greater Grace Temple Church, on Monday presented drugs and other medical wares worth 200,000 dollars to the Korle-bu Teaching hospital.

Nana Obuobia Akoto I, a citizen of Aboase in the Akwamu area of the Asuogyaman District, presented the items, which included antibiotics, gastro-intestinal and hypertensive drugs, as well as lenses and sun shades to the Minister of Health, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, in Accra.

Present at the presentation ceremony were a team of 23 members of the church from the United States currently undertaking social services in the country led by Dr Mona Forbes Reides, International Missions director of the Church. Among them are doctors, registered nurses, university faculty members and social workers.

Nana Akoto, known in private life as Gifty Paintsil at whose instance the team arrived in the country, said she was moved by the plight of her people when she visited home two years ago.

"I saw the need to mobilise help for my people because I felt death instead of joy among them," she said of her visit home. She said the church has acquired a plot of land at Aboaso for the construction of a clinic to supplement the services of the Volta River Authority hospital at Akosombo.

Besides, the group, which visited Ghana last year, has been offering clinical services to the people. At least 7,000 people were screened and treated of various ailments during the period. She said the group attended to another 3,500 people this year.

Dr Reides said they have earmarked one million dollars for Ghana this year in services to the people.

Mr Donkor thanked the church, saying their donation will help boost medicare services, especially for the deprived as anticipated under the Vision 2020 policy.