Taviefe (V/R), April 12, GNA- A team of US Naval personnel is organizing a four-day Naval medical outreach programme at Taviefe, a farming community near Ho.

The exercise, which started last Tuesday, saw the eight-member team in collaboration with the Ghana Navy under the leadership of Naval Lieutenant Gregg Raczniak screening over 650 people in the community of various diseases and offered medication free of charge to the people. They treated patients of skin and dental problems and gave out a total of 100 glasses to people with eye problems.

Captain Jennifer Lovett, officer in charge of Public Affairs Operations of the US Navy told the Ghana News Agency that the exercise was to provide solutions to the health needs of the people. She said the health needs of the people came into the limelight four years ago when the community was plagued with the Leishmaniasis disease popularly known as " agbamekanu" a skin disease, which attracted the medical team into the area.

Captain Lovett said two dermatologists were part of the team to help find solutions to skin problems of people in the community to make life better for them.

Togbe Bele Komla III, Senior Divisional Chief of Taviefe Traditional Area expressed gratitude to the American Embassy and the Noguchi Research Institute for their concern and support for the community over the years after it was plagued with the "strange agbamekanu" disease.

He appealed to them not to relent in their support to the community because they were always welcomed to help solve the health needs of the people who he said lacked the economic power to seek healthcare.