A programme to offer free medical treatment organised by the Member of Parliament, Mr Ofosu Asamoah for the sick in the Kade constituency, has taken off.

Four hundred and forty-six 446 patients were treated free of charge by six doctors and 24 nurses and other paramedics at Akyem Takyiman and Pramkese at the weekend.

The doctors were Dr Sabastian Eliason, a private medical practitioner, Dr Eric Fordjair, Dr Joseph Asare and Dr Kwadwo Mensah, all from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Dr Ben Brew of the Central Hospital at Kasoa and Dr Azu-in-Yen Zakpa of the Police Hospital in Accra.

Speaking to newsmen after the exercise, Mr Asamoah said he decided to launch the MP's special initiative on health to make health delivery accessible to his constituents "for them to realise the fruits of positive change."

"There are no hospitals in the constituency and health delivery is a problem so I decided to take medicare to the doorsteps of the sick," the MP said.

He said the medical team would periodically visit the communities in the constituency to provide free medical treatment.

The MP said the second phase of the programme scheduled for June, would be a general de-worming of all children in basic schools. The children's blood group, as well as sickling status would also be examined.

Mr Asamoah said the third phase would be a dental clinic for students at Kade and Asuom Secondary schools since poor dental health is responsible for many ailments. This would be in September this year.

He said in addition to the voluntary service being rendered by the doctors, he received support from a number of pharmaceutical companies who donated drugs and medical consumables for the programme.

The companies are Letap Phamaceuticals, Dannex, Mand G Pharmaceuticals, Palm Pharmaceuticals, and Ayrton pharmacy, Intravenous Infusion company, Food and Drugs Board, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) at Akwatia.

At least 225 patients were treated at Pramkese, while 221 were attended to at Akyem Takyiman.

The Medical Assistant at the Pramkese Health Centre, Mr Joseph Osei Darkwa told newsmen that an average of 15 patients called at the centre daily.

The leader of the medical team, Dr Eliason said he and his colleagues were glad to offer the service to the people and that they were prepared to replicate it anywhere they would be invited.