By Elorm Yao Aryee
A non-governmental organization, the Peace Dempo Ameyibor Foundation, has organized a free medical screening exercise for hundreds of residents in the Peki Traditional Area in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region. The exercise, held at Avetile Peki, sought to create awareness of the effects of non-communicable diseases and to improve access to healthcare services in the area.
The beneficiaries, both young and old, from the eight communities in the traditional area, were screened for various ailments and conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, among others. Depending on the diagnosis after the screening, some beneficiaries were provided free medical products, while others who presented serious health conditions were referred to major health facilities for advanced treatment.
The medical team also took time to educate the beneficiaries on healthy lifestyles to help prevent diseases.
Nutritionists were also on standby to educate them on balanced diets and healthy foods.
The leader of the medical team from Peki Government Hospital, Deborah Otoo, advised Ghanaians to visit health facilities near them for regular medical checkups, which might help in the early detection and treatment of diseases.
“I will encourage the general public to reduce fatty and carbohydrate food intake, but rather consume more healthy foods and fluids. Let us also exercise periodically and have enough rest to reduce stress levels, which has health implications,” she said.
The screening exercise was the maiden one since the Peace Dempo Ameyibor Foundation was established. Its Founder, Deloris Enyo Awalime, said the goal is to organize more of such medical outreaches in deprived communities across the country to address the immediate health needs of residents.
“We intend to organise this exercise quarterly, especially in underserved areas, to ensure that residents are educated about the health challenges posed by non-communicable diseases. Our mother, Peace Dempo Ameyibor, who hails from Peki Avetile, died of diabetes last year, hence the resolve to honour her memory with this exercise to create awareness,” she said.
Madam Awalime said the Foundation will soon spread the exercise to other areas in the Volta Region and the country at large.
The Peki Circuit Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church, Very Rev. Wisdom Sanaki, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Foundation for bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of residents.
The Foundation also donated clothing to some of the residents who showed up at the exercise.
The family of the late Peace Dempo Ameyibor established the Foundation in her memory in 2024, to focus more on creating awareness of non-communicable diseases and to embark on medical outreaches.
