Gbetseli (GAR), May 5, GNA - Some 800 people in the Gbetseli community in the Tema Metropolis have received free medical screening provided by the Progressive Free Health Services (PFHS), a United States-based private medical outreach. The week-long screening focused on diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and ailments relating to women. The team, led by Dr Adrienne Charles, a physician, was assisted by six trainee nurses from the Narh Bita private hospital in Tema. They attended to about 120 people daily from the Gbetseli and surrounding villages and referred the serious cases to the Tema General Hospital.

Dr Charles enumerated some of the symptoms of diabetes as frequent urination, extreme hunger, fatigue, paleness and weight loss, while the causes of hypertension were obesity, alcoholism, high cholesterol and excessive intake of salt, as well as too much stress, ageing and depression.

He said high blood pressure does not usually show any symptoms and advised them to regularly seek medical attention to avoid complications. Most of the people who were diagnosed of having high blood pressure and diabetes said they were not aware of their status, until they were told after the screening. "If I am not sick why should I go to the hospital to pay money just for medical examination?" Ms Ayorkor Larteley, a tomato seller asked. Nii Kwaku Teye, Chief of Gbetseli expressed appreciation to the volunteers and he would continue to encourage members of the community to seek regular medical examination.