Over the Counter Medicines Sellers Association, Teshie-Nungua zone in collaboration with UNICHEM Pharmaceuticals and Health Keepers Network, an NGO on Thursday donated dewormers to residents of Teshie.

The residents were also educated on the need to avoid wrong medication which poses serious health implications on the human body.

Mr James Gar, Former Chairman of the Association in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said their outfit realized that most people administer dewormers wrongly and there was the need to intensify the education to curb the issue.

Mr Gar said it was imperative for residents in the community to observe personal hygiene and good sanitation and noted that unhygienic environment and contaminated water contributed to worm infestation.

He educated the residents to administer dewormers on three months intervals for children above two years.

Mr Gar said tapeworm can cause anaemia and urged them to deworm with Wormbat every three months to prevent the worm from causing complications.

Mr Maxwell Akoto-Mireku, the Assistant Secretary of the Association said the programme was an annual event organized within the Teshie-Nungua community as part of its social commitment to respond to their health needs.

“As chemical sellers we feel we need to educate the public on health issues to prevent diseases than curing it. It is a demonstration that we are not only interested in the money but more concern about their health,” he added.

He said as a result of their intervention over the years, there was a decrease in the number of diseases recorded in the area.

Mr Kwasi Kumi, the Field Officer, Health Keepers Network said their outfit was happy to be associated with the event to increase access to family planning methods and improve their lifestyles.

He said they have organized an eye screening exercise for reading purposes and encouraged the residents to undertake regular check-ups for early detection of any diseases and find solutions to them.

Ms Juanita Aryeh, Marketing Executive of UNICHEM Pharmaceuticals said the company would continue to partner the association to educate the people on health related issues.