Gold Coast Medical Foundation to offer free screening to market women

A team of 26 medical officers from the Gold Coast Medical Foundation, (GCMF) a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is expected to arrive in the country this week, to help provide quality health service delivery to women at the Madina market in the Greater Accra Region.

The medical team made up of general physicians, nurses and other medical personnel are expected to check the sugar levels of the market women and screen them for malaria, diabetes , hypertension, skin
diseases, pneumonia and provide immediate health care.

The free health screening exercise which has been scheduled to take place on Saturday June 4 is being organized in affiliation with the Critical Care Nurses of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Sun Media with support from Coca-cola, and Pamasidole producers of Onga.

According to the Media Relations Officer of the Foundation, Mr Gilbert Ankrah the purpose of the exercise is to create awareness and help the market women know their health status, especially with blood pressure, sugar diabetes, eyes, ears, and HIV/AIDS among other diseases adding that the best ways of mitigating their conditions is through free health screening events.white 1
“It helps prevent health complications, save precious lives and alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable sections of society,” he said.

He noted that the occasion would also be used to educate the market women on some basic health problems its symptoms and the need for early reporting to the hospitals for medical attention.

He said the mission of the NGO is to help break the chain of poverty among the less privileged especially women, increase their life expectancy, reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health in the country.

“We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart
of our community-based efforts to prevent the spread of disease,” he said.White 2
He pointed out that the exercise is part of the Foundation’s efforts in fostering healthy communities where individual well-being is promoted for prosperity adding that “Health is an essential component
in the development of every community.

“This is not the first time and would not be the last we going to organise such an exercise, our first was at Dansoman market, then to Agbogbloshi market and Mallam market,” he added.

He disclosed that multiple clinics will also be held in the city of Accra as well as some villages in the Eastern and Central and it will target chronic pain syndrome, infectious diseases such as malaria,
helmith-borne, etc.

"During clinics, team members will be assigned to registration, triage, consultation, pharmacy. When available, minor procedures such as Incision and Drainage, wound debridement, joint injection will be done,” he said.

Mr Ankrah noted that the Gold Coast Medical Foundation is dedicated to the achievement of adequate health care that is sustainable and to accomplish this goal, the Foundation seeks to address several public health issues and embark on the construction of health care facilities across the country.