About 2,000 head porters in the Kumasi metropolis have been screened for malaria, anaemia, heart, eye and skin diseases as part of efforts at helping to improve the quality of the people’s health.

The five-hour free exercise was undertaken by a team of medical professionals from the Kumasi Health Directorate and was initiated by the Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Mrs. Elizabeth Agyemang.

Most of the patients were diagnosed with malaria, and as well given drugs. While those with complicated cases were referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Mrs. Agyemang, speaking after the exercise at Dagomba-Line in Kumasi, said it was meant to reach out to the underprivileged in the society.

She said she had paid the health insurance premium for 40 of the people in the metropolis, to enable them access health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme. She therefore appealed to the porters to avoid lifestyles such as alcoholism and promiscuity.