Apam(C/R), Sept 12, GNA - A 16-member-team from Aldersgate United Methodist Medical Mission in Pennsylvania in the United States of America (USA) has arrived at the Apam Catholic Mission Hospital to offer free medical service to the needy.

Accompanying the team is a 10-man construction group, which would build a library for the Apam Methodist Junior High School. Their trip is being sponsored by the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, the Rotary International and Building Solid Foundation all of USA.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony for the team, Dr Ebenezer Amekah, Acting Medical superintendent of the Hospital said an eight-member-team from the organisation, which visited the hospital last year for the same purpose performed 108 successful operations mostly involving goitre and hernia within the six-day period.

Mr. Joe Hackman, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, urged Ghanaians to emulate the voluntary spirit of the team. "If we can cultivate the spirit of voluntarism, the nation will advance at a faster pace, and we can also extend services to other countries," the MP stated.

He urged Ghanaians to take the Health Insurance Scheme seriously and to register to have access to affordable health care. The Reverend Monsignor James Robert Myres, Vicar-General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Coast, expressed gratitude to the team for complementing the efforts of the Church to offer quality health care services in the country.

"The Church is happy to have you as a friend and sharing in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ," Monsignor Myres told the team and expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the trip. Dr Bob Davis, leader of the team said the Mission had decided to increase the number of last year's the team and to extend their stay because of the workload.

He commended the staff of the hospital for their support and cooperation during their visit last year and expressed the hope they would do the same this year. Nana Edu Effrim X, Chief of Apam, assured the team of the support of the people to make their 12-day stay enjoyable.