The Half Assini Government Hospital has offered free health screening exercise to a large number of people in the Jomoro District as part of efforts to offer quality health delivery to the people.

The Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Jonathan Mensah, who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, at Half-Assini in the Western Region said the event took place at Tikobo No. one on a market day.

He said the programme forms part of celebration of this year’s annual Kundum festival of the chiefs and people of the Western Nzema Traditional Area.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Celebrating Western Nzema Traditional Area to Fast-track Youth &Gender Education and Skills Development."

According to Dr Mensah some of the people were de-wormed while others were diagnosed of hypertension and diabetes. There was also a talk on family planning.

The Medical Superintendent said commonest illnesses detected in the exercise were skin rashes, joint pains and hypertension.

He said 50 adults with such diseases have been referred to the hospital for treatment.

Dr Mensah indicated that drugs used for the programme were provided by the hospital and some pharmaceutical companies in Takoradi.

The Medical Superintendent said the facility had organised similar programmes at Ekpu, Jaway-Wharf, Old Nzulezo and Elubo in the district.

Meanwhile other activities outlined for the festival include a float and tree planting exercise at all the communities in the traditional area.

The Kundum festival which originated from Ahanta is celebrated by the Nzemas in Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire.

The people use it to take stock of their past events and plan for the coming year in aid of development.

The festival would be highlighted with a durbar of chiefs at Beyin, the traditional headquarters on Sunday November 1, where the chiefs and Omanhene of the Area, Awulae Annor Adjei III, would sit in state to receive homage from the people.

Among the dignitaries invited are the Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, the Second Lady, Mrs Matilda Amissah Arthur, some paramount chiefs in and around the area and the Omanhen of Grand Bassam in Cote D’ Ivoire.

The celebration also marks the silver jubilee of the enstoolment of Awulae Adjei.