The residents of Asylum Down in the Klottey Korle Constituency have lauded the free health screening in the community organised by Dr Zanetor Rawlings an aspiring National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the area.

The exercise involved the dispensing of drugs, eye screening, laboratory tests and general screening for the community.

The exercise was organized in partnership with the “La Vanguardia” Medical Outreach, a non-governmental organization (NGO), to support the people with their health problems and to offer them advice on preventive measures.

Mr Kuku Dsane, a Health Professional and a member of Dr Rawlings’ Communication Team, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that, effective sustainable awareness, such as community health screening was very important to enhance the health of the people.

He said meeting the challenges would require efficient strategies that meet the World Health Organisation’s prescriptions of modern health practices, which focuses on concerted efforts of engaging more with the communities.

Mr Dsane, also the team leader of the Employee Wellbeing Programme said the 21st century presents health challenges of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancers.

”Early detection in screening is most welcome and recommendable,” he said.

He said prevention of malaria and the recent outbreaks of cholera in the communities were areas that needed to be looked at seriously since illnesses resulting from filth were the most widespread health problem in the country.

“We will eventually advise an integrate programme that does not only focus on general health, but on psyco-social issues, such as financial wellness and social protection,” he said.

Mr Dsane said Dr Rawlings would partner with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to continue the public education on environmental protection to ensure that the aquatic life of the Klottey Korle Lagoon was restored.

He acknowledged the contribution of government and its partners for their support to the assemblies to enhance sanitation and environmental hygiene.

Dr Kofi Amech, the Head of the ‘La Vanguardia’ Medical team, made up of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other paramedics expressed gratitude to Dr Rawlings, who approached the NGO for the laudable initiative.

He said the ongoing health screening was started in 2007 for deprived communities for free, and that, cases that were beyond them were referred to the appropriate medical centres.