The Wellness Bridge Initiative (WBI) has launched a preventive healthcare project in Adidome to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Volta Region.
The project, known as the “Health Kiosk” initiative, is designed to help residents know their health status and make informed decisions to live healthier and longer lives. It focuses on preventing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which continue to affect millions of people across Ghana.
Speaking at the launch, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, Executive Director of WBI and Chief of Adidome, described the initiative as “a candle of hope” for his community.
“The Health Kiosk project is designed to offer preventive health solutions to the people, starting with Adidome and scaling up to all five sub-districts of the Central Tongu Health Directorate, and further extended to other parts of Ghana,” he said.
Citing health statistics, Togbe Agyeman noted the dangers of silent killers like hypertension and diabetes. He referred to research by Johns Hopkins Nursing, which states that “Hypertension tops all adult hospital admissions and is associated with a significant proportion of overall adult deaths in hospitals in Ghana.”
He lamented the increasing toll of these conditions, particularly among the youth. “Funeral posters with those screaming inscriptions like ‘What a Shock’; ‘Gone too Soon’; ‘Painful Exit’, etc. etc. are becoming too common. Let us deal with it,” he stressed.
The Health Kiosk project will run on WBI’s four strategic pillars, known as ACNE. The first pillar, Awareness, focuses on health education campaigns. The second, Checking, involves free screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar, along with referrals when necessary. The third pillar, Nutrition, promotes dietary literacy using local foods, with the campaign message “We are what we Eat.” The fourth pillar, Physical Exercise, encourages community fitness programs across all ages, with special attention to older adults (50+) under the campaign “Age is a Number.”
Togbe Agyeman acknowledged support from the Central Tongu District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and stressed the importance of stronger collaboration with the national GHS as the initiative expands.
He also recognized the Mafi Adidome Development Advisory Board (MADAB) and individual donors who helped finance the first kiosk, while appealing to international donors, government agencies, corporate institutions, and philanthropists to support nationwide expansion.
“This project provides a solution to the UN SDG 3. We have the vision, we have the plan. What we now seek is the fuel to expand, operate sustainably, and reach every corner of Ghana and beyond,” he said.
The Chairman of the launch, Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Commissioner and Volta Representative to the NDPC, praised the initiative as innovative. “If there was any award today in recognition for traditional innovation, I will ask everyone to vote for Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V,” he remarked.
The Health Kiosk will serve as a hub for free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index checks. Under the arrangement, the District Health Directorate will provide training and supervision for kiosk attendants, who will then screen and refer at-risk patients to the Adidome District Hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The event was attended by Dr. Apetorgbor, who chaired the ceremony, the District Chief Executive of Central Tongu, Hon. Adison Dodzie Mornyuie, the District Director of Health Service, Mr. Baba Awuni, chiefs and queenmothers including the Queenmother of Adidome, Mama Drapey, as well as community leaders, media, and residents.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
