Ajumako (C/R), Nov. 9, GNA - The management of Ajumako Government Hospital under the chairmanship of Dr. Asigiri Afoko, on Monday launched a special outreach programme to sensitise farmers, workers, traders and other residents in the district on sound domestic and environmental hygiene.

In an address, Dr. Afoko said the essence of the programme was to keep the people in good health all the time to enable them to pursue their economic ventures to earn decent living.

He said the inhabitants in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District could not play their part very well towards the development of the area and the nation if majority of people in the district were trapped by various ailments, which retarded their good health.

Speaking at another public gathering at Ajumaio Kromain, Dr. Afoko enlightened the people on several complicated and uncomplicated health issues, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and adolescent reproductive health. Dr. Afoko said one of the important health issues that the outreach programme seeks to highlight was the "wash your hands before and after eating," as well as free medical delivery, which forms part of the National Mutual Health Insurance scheme.

He advised people in the area to adhere strictly to the useful advice offered them by health officials from time to time to enable them to live longer to enjoy the fruit of their labour. People with blood pressure problems, minor sicknesses were examined and given treatment at the function, which was presided over by Nana Frimpong, Odikro of Ajumako-Kromain. Mothers with children below 15 years were given first aid drugs and treated mosquito nets to protect them against malaria.

According to Dr. Afoko, diseases affecting most young and middle age adults in the district included severe hypertension and anaemia. Others had symptomatic renal disease for months or years, which had suddenly become worse or chronic. He said hypertension is often assumed to be important cause of renal failure.