NGO urges gov’t to support preventive health education

Elijeko Foundation, nonprofit organization based in Ghana has urged government and stakeholders to support preventive health education in Ghana.

The Foundation conducted its 10^th Community Health Promotion event at Kumasi Wesley Girls Senior High School and St. Michael Educational Complex both in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

The event was in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness month celebration.

According to research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has revealed that of the over four thousand cases of breast cancer that will be diagnosed in Ghana this year, about a thousand of the patients are at risk of losing their lives.

The team led by Mr. Samuel Oduro Mensah provided hands-on training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Self-Breast Examination.

Additional topics discussed were how to detect and prevent Urinary Tract Infections, Upper Respiratory Infection, and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

The lead Medical Officer, Mrs. Priscilla Amma Pokuaah, a Physician Assistant at Kama Hospital in Kumasi entreated students to abstain from unprotected sex, and maintain proper hygiene. “Many of the young patients we receive at our health facilities suffer from conditions that can easily be prevented through proper hygiene”, she said “I admonish all female students to stay away from patronizing illegal medications, especially body enhancing drugs which has the potential to inflict negative impact on them in the future”.

Mr. Nyantakyi demonstrating mouth-2-mouth breath during CPR training.

“Prevention is better than cure!” echoed the founder of Elijeko Foundation, Mr. Andrews Nyantakyi who services as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. He explained the focus of the foundation’s Community Health Promotion events is to promote preventive and safe health practices in Ghana as well as other sub-Saharan African countries. “Our model is simple: we go to schools, churches as well as community gatherings with our team to provide basic preventive health education, and detection techniques for illnesses that are prevalent in our societies. We are working to support the United Nations 3^rd Sustainable Development Goal which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, he added.

Reverend Peter Nimo, the Chaplain of the school, commended the organization for its contribution towards health promotion in Ghana and pleaded with the team to work with the school in setting up a sickbay to provide timely health interventions to students when needed.

Mr. Samuel Oduro Mensah, the Country Director for Elijeko Foundation urged the government and key stakeholders to support the promotion of preventive health education in Ghana.