Health News of Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Source: GNA

Chorkor benefits from free medical care

Accra, March 28, GNA - The Dorcas Medical Missions (DMMs), a Christian Non-Governmental Organisation based in New York is organizing a three-day free medical care for residents at Chorkor, Amasaman and Ofankor in the Greater Accra Region.

The team in collaboration with Mullings Ministries Charitable Corporation is carrying out the programme to provide health care to those deprived areas at a cost of 100,000 dollars.

Dr. Bert Petersen, Medical Director for DMMs told the GNA at Chorkor on Tuesday that his team of African-Americans were treating general ailments such as, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, dental care, cold, boils, cough, malaria and skin infections.

Dr. Peterson said patients with acute conditions such as fibroid, goitre and hernia would be referred to the Ada District hospital for surgery at a cost of 20,000 dollars covering patient's drugs and hospital bills.

Rev. Teddy Wellington, Project Coordinator said the programme had brought some relief to the less privileged who would have otherwise stayed with their sickness due to poverty.

He said the programme with a local support of 10 million cedis would establish a mini dental school at the Presbyterian Church at Chorkor for children in the area to have regular check-ups. On the turn up so far, he said attendance had been encouraging for the two days, adding: "we are expecting 5,000 people to attend" before the close of Wednesday.

Rev Wellington, who is also the head pastor of the Over Flowing Life Ministries said referral cases to Korle-Bu and 37 Military Hospitals were being carried for patients who needed extra treatment. He told the GNA that the package had an evangelism team to win souls for Christ.