World Heart Day 2022: PATH Ghana, GHS organise free health screening for drivers
World Heart Day 2022: PATH Ghana, GHS organise free health screening for drivers
More than 500 drivers within Kumasi Metropolis who ply at Sofoline lorry station has today 29th September 2022, benefited from a free health screening organized by PATH Ghana and Ghana Service .
With support from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the exercise was meant to offer drivers and passagers the opportunity to seek medical attention on any bordering health issues.
Addressingthe Media, Dr Robert Yeboah,Senior Tecchnical Advisor, Non-Communicable Disease, PATH Ghana reiterated that health is wealth and therefore, the need for everyone to know their health status and get immediate care.
“We must seek medical attention anytime we don’t feel comfortable or well in our health, in order to be able to move about freely and undertake our duties,” he urged.
According to him, one of the goals for PATH Ghana is to bring health care right at the door step of the Ghanaians in order to building a strong society, and promised to replicate the health screening exercise in all other areas.
Dr Robert disclosed that, cardiovascular disease including heart disease and stroke is accountable for nearly half of all the Non-Communicable Disease deaths.
Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 18.6 million lives each year while Hypertension is a silent killer associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
World Heart Day was initiated in the year 2011 by the World Heart Federation to increase awareness for cardiovascular health and presents an opportunity for us to unit in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden.
Globally, September 29th is the day to commemorate this event and the theme for this year is “USE HEART FOR EVERY HEART “.
Dr Robert stressed the need for drivers to attach much priority to the food they consume, and also have enough rest after works to enable them to regain their strength for the next day’s work.
Chairman of the GPRTU, Sofoline Branch, Mr Julius Ceaser advised each individual to be health conscious; emphasising that diets contributed greatly to wellbeing.
He asked the drivers to add and consume more green vegetables and fruits in their daily diet, to build a strong immune system.
Some beneficiaries said the screening had been timely due to some health challenges they were unable to access the health centres due to financial crisis.
By: Akwadaa Nyame-Silverfm
