Mfantsipim old boys organise health screening for community
A four-day health screening exercise for more than 2,500 persons within the Mfantsipim School Community in Cape Coast has been organised as a prelude to the school’s 138th annual Speech and Prize-Giving celebration.
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The medical outreach which took place at the school’s infirmary was conducted by a corp of Mfantsipim health professionals (doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lab technologists, radiologists).
The community was screened for body mass index, blood pressure, random blood sugar, breast screening, cholesterol and uric acid. other areas were blood diagnostic test for malaria,prostate specific antigen, Hepatatis B and C as well as dental and optical consultation
According to the Chairman of the school’s Development Planning Committee, Mr Magnus RexDanquah, information gathered from the programme would be used as baseline data of members of the Mfantsipim School Community and also as reference points for future programmes.
The model could also serve as template for other schools in the country in the light of major public health issues such as the cholera and Ebola.
He said, among other benefits, the screening would enable members of the Mfantsipim School community to be confident about their health status.
The exercise was also used by the old boys to educate the students and the community on the need to be mentally and physically fit to be able to go about their studies and work without let or hindrance.
Furthermore, Mr RexDanquah said, the exercise would inculcate in the present crop of students the need to give back to the society.
“Mfantsipim School’s motto is ‘Dwen Hwe Kan’, which literally means ‘Think and Look Ahead’. By conducting this exercise, we are demonstrating that we would always look ahead at ways of improving upon systems that have nurtured and developed us. We believe this is critical to the continuous development of our dear nation” Mr. RexDanquah, who is also a member of the school’s Board of Governors, said.
Commenting on the exercise, Dr Paa Kwesi Blankson, an old boy who was part of the medical team said the exercise was timely as the team attended to emergencies brought by members of the community. He described the exercise as “an extraordinary experience” for the old and current students as well as the members of the community.
“We definitely look forward to more awesome experiences in the years to come”, he added.