UN volunteers organise health outreach programme

Accra, Dec. 4, GNA - Over 1,500 people from James Town in Accra, on Saturday patronised a free medical outreach programme, being organised by the United Nations as part of activities marking International Volunteer Day(IVD).

By 0700 hours, a long queue comprising mainly women and children had gathered at the premises of James Town Maternity Home, awaiting to be screened and treated of malaria, hypertension, typhoid and eye ailments.

The programme was the collaboration of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Programme, the Ministry of Health and Kinapharma, a pharmaceutical company that donated drugs worth 30 million cedis.

A medical team comprising 13 doctors, drawn mainly from the Cuban Medical Brigade, 13 nurses and two para-medics from the UN treated the patients.

The first 100 women and their children were provided treated mosquito nets free of charge.

Miss Lydia Trebi, who reported with chest pains told the Ghana News Agency that she was happy to have received free treatment, together with her two daughters who were suffering from malaria and cough.

The 19th IVD celebration is on the theme: "Youth Volunteering for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)".

Mr Joseph Oji, the UNV Programme Officer in Ghana, expressed satisfaction that the programme had exposed the people to the proper use of treated mosquito nets and female condom.

" Most women are not aware of the existence of female condom and the exposure would help reduce HIV/AIDS infection amongst them." Mr Oji said the programme, the second in a series, is part of the MDG, that includes reducing child mortality rate, improving maternal health and combating malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Dr Emily Onuoha, Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro Director of Health, expressed the need to make the outreach programme sustainable. 04 Dec. 04