The eighth in the series of mini clinics organised by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine for communities within its catchment area has taken place at Boete, one of the suburbs of Obuasi.
Close to 1,000 residents were screened and treated of various diseases. Those who needed to be referred as a result of the peculiar nature of their problems were duly referred.
According to the Senior Sustainability Manager of the company, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, AngloGold seeks to achieve resilient and socio-economic self-sustaining Communities in Obuasi and that, one key area towards achieving this goal is to contribute to improved quality healthcare services.
‘‘The mini clinics we hold contribute to supporting the health needs of our host communities and are meant to promote frequent health screening in rural communities.
Supporting groups in the exercise included AGA Health Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, GIZ and the Ghana Health Service,’’ Mr Baidoo added.
Dr. Justin Dakorah, Head of Occupational Health Dept. of AGA Health Foundation, who led the medical team to the programme, noted that the mini clinics have become one of the flagship programmes on the calendar of the company.
He stated that the day’s mini clinic sought to highlight issues pertaining to sickle cell and herpatitis ‘B’ diseases and other diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and malaria, among others.
He spoke against self medication pointing out that the right thing to do is to report ones health problem to the nearest hospital for medical attention and added that the programme also helped to renew NHIS cards for a cross-section of the people.
Madam Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei, Social Development and Gender Superintendent of the company told the people that the mini clinic was free and that one should not worry about money as AngloGold has paid for everything and that all that one needs is to walk to the park where the clinic was being held.
On his part Dr. Enoch Addo Sarkodie also of AGA Health Foundation used the platform to educate the people about sickle cell disease.
He stated,’’ It is estimated that 15,000 babies are born every year in Ghana with the disease and this explains that the disease is really here with us and as a result we need to put in place measures to look for people with sickle cell and put in interventions to help them”.
Mr Kwasi Oduro, project officer in charge of health for Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, told The Chronicle that patronage of the dental clinic for the day was phenomenal, as the residents of Boete rushed there to have their dental problems solved.
Nananom from the Akrokerri Division led by Nana Kofi Berchie, the Regent graced the occasion.
From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi
