Kumasi, Jan. 30, GNA - The Suame branch of the Intercontinental Bank, Ghana, in collaboration with a medical team from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi organised a five-hour medical screening for some traders and mechanics at the Suame Magazine in Kumasi on Wednesday. The exercise involved lecturing them on diseases including Breast Cancer, Prostrate Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Malaria and others to enable them to know and to improve their health status,

The medical team also took time to examine them individually to know their blood pressure levels, weight and the diseases affecting them and advised them on precautions while receiving treatment at hospitals and health centres. Dr. Bright Oppong Ampaw, leader of the medical team, addressing them earlier, explained the symptoms associated with the various diseases and advised them to report to the nearest hospitals and health centres for medical attention. He noted that ignorance on the part of many people on health issues was a major problem facing the health sector and urged them to pay particular attention to their health to avoid diseases degenerating into complications and death.

Dr. Ampaw said with the introduction of the National Heath Insurance Scheme, it was incumbent on medical and other health personnel to be committed and dedicated to their work to help improve health delivery in the country. He advised them to take balanced diet, reduce their in-take of alcohol and fatty foods and do regular body exercises.

Mr Kwabena Oppong, Manager of the Suame branch said the bank had at heart the health needs of the people, especially those in its catchment area and that the exercise, the first of its kind, formed part of the social responsibilities of the bank to enhance the living conditions of the people. He pledged that the exercise would be extended to other branches of the bank in the Kumasi metropolis to help educate them on their health needs at all times. The Manager used the opportunity to appeal to the people in the area to do business with the bank to help get the needed financial support to improve on their businesses.