More than 400 residents from communities within Dawhenya in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region received free health screening as part of an outreach programme by the United States-based Jesus Power Assemblies of God Church.
The residents, mostly women, the elderly and children, were screened for illnesses like malaria, hypertension, diabetes, and eye infections.
They also received free medications after undergoing the necessary laboratories tests, while those who needed further medical care were referred to the hospital.
Apostle Bismark Osei Akomeah, the senior pastor of the church, said through its non-governmental organisation, JPower Cold Water Foundation, the Jesus Power Assemblies of God Church annually organised those screenings for people in deprived communities.
He noted that many of the people did not have the resources to undergo frequent medical check-ups, therefore the church’s resolve to giving back to society and showing compassion to the underprivileged just as Jesus did.
He emphasised that Jesus did not only preach to the people but also showed them compassion.
He expressed worry over the attitude of some people in ministry, who were taking from society instead of giving back to them and impacting the people’s lives.
Mr Saviour Sey Dordoe, a Chief Physician Assistant at the New Crystal Hospital, part of the medical team for the outreach, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that some of the illnesses detected were hypertension, malaria, upper respiratory diseases, skin infections, and worm infestation of persons who had not dewormed for many years.
Mr Dordoe said those who were detected to have high blood pressure were advised to reduce the intake of salt and fatty foods, among other things, and also exercise and get enough rest.
He said de-worming was very important to human health, as worms attached to foods may get into the body and feed on the blood, leading to some medical issues.
Touching on the prevention of malaria, he noted that as the rainy season set in, it was necessary that people slept under treated mosquito nets and cleared their surroundings of bushes and cans that could serve as breeding places for mosquitoes.
Mr Moses Kutor, the Assemblyman for North Dawhenya, commended the church and the foundation for the screening, noting that it was very beneficial to the residents.
Meanwhile, the church has opened the Jesus Power School of Ministry and Retreat Centre at Dawhenya, aimed at providing the necessary facilities for Christian organisations to tally before God. The centre, which was dedicated by Reverend Dr Stephen Yenusom Wengam, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Ghana, and Senior Bishop James K. Saah, the Senior Bishop of Action Chapel International, has dormitories, library, kitchen, and sanctuary, among other ancillary facilities.
