Head potters benefit from medical screening

The exercise, which lasted three days, for over 6000 female head potters, was funded by philanthropists, with support from the Common Fund Administrator, some members of Parliament,  namely Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader and MP for Suame, M&G Pharmaceuticals, Spintex, Lymenx, Kama, Danny and Ernest chemist – which provided the needed medication for the exercise – and Tobinco Pharmacy which supported with funds. 

A total of 17 medical doctors, 28 nurses and eight pharmacists selected from the various health facilities in Kumasi and Accra took part in the exercise.

The head potters were screened of various health conditions after which those found with critical health conditions were referred to the Kumasi South, Manhyia, Tafo and the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals. 

Sixteen of the potters who were diagnosed with glaucoma were referred to the KATH, while  251 with high blood pressure were provided with drugs and advised to seek medical care at regular intervals.

About 700 were identified with malaria and other parasitic diseases, while others were treated for respiratory problems, skin diseases and worm infestation, among others.

Briefing the Daily Graphic after the exercise, Mrs Agyemang said her decision to organise the exercise was as a result of her visit to the kayayei which revealed that they needed medical care.

She described their areas of residence as appalling, as there was no proper drainage system with poor sanitation conditions which  she said exposed them to various health hazards.

The MP said she would soon register some of them with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to access health care and also gave an assurance to liaise with various state agencies and ministries to help improve their living conditions.

Mrs Agyemang said some of the potters had expressed interest in furthering their education and indicated her preparedness to support them in that respect, with support from the various stakeholders in the country.

A Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Gabriel Boakye, who led a team of doctors to undertake the screening, called for urgent attention to save them from  imminent epidemic and  appealed to the government, through the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, to initiate measurers to improve their standard of living.