A health screening organised by MTN Ghana in Tamale has highlighted the importance of routine medical checks, with participants tested for blood sugar, blood pressure and eye conditions including glaucoma.
The screening followed an early morning health walk on Saturday that drew dozens of MTN staff in the Northern Region, residents and members of various keep-fit clubs in Tamale as part of the ongoing MTN SavannahFest.
The medical team also assessed participants’ eye pressure and provided reading glasses and medication to people who needed them.
Dr Daniel Opoku-Gyamfi, CEO of Savannah Opticals and Eye Care and lead of the SavannahFest Health Screening Team, said the exercise could help uncover conditions that participants were unaware they had.
“There are many people who would come here and then they had no idea that even they were diabetic,” he said.
He said blood sugar checks could help identify people with elevated sugar levels and allow them to receive appropriate advice, while the eye screening was also providing an opportunity to identify people at risk of glaucoma.
Dr Opoku-Gyamfi said participants requiring further medical attention would be referred to appropriate health facilities, while cases that could be managed at the screening venue would be attended to by the medical team.
He urged the public to make routine checks part of their healthcare habits, recommending that people check their blood pressure monthly and eye pressure at least every three months.
For a comprehensive health examination, he recommended an annual check-up, subject to more frequent examinations where advised by a doctor.
“Whatever your doctor advises, it is good that you take heed and do it appropriately,” he said.
Richard Asamani, MTN Area Sales Manager for Northern Ghana, said the health walk was intended to encourage people to exercise regularly, while the screening gave participants an opportunity to know their health status.
He said the screening covered eye examinations, blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index and other assessments determined by the medical team.
“If there’s any need for any further checks or requirements, the health personnel will advise you so you can contact the health facility for further engagement and further checks,” Mr Asamani said.
He said the health activities formed part of MTN’s wider SavannahFest programme for the Northern Region, which also includes the ongoing inter-community football gala, a clean-up exercise and the DJ Afro Wave concert scheduled for October 2 at the University for Development Studies main campus.
The football gala finals on October 3 will bring the Northern Sector edition of SavannahFest to a close, according to Mr Asamani.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
