Preventive health for life
For years, health policies had focused on curing diseases. However, in recent past, the policy direction has changed. Now, the emphasis is geared towards prevention.
One of the key elements of preventive medicine or health is education. The Ministry of Health and its allied agencies are making every effort to educate the public. Certainly, the ministry and its agencies cannot handle this task alone, hence the need for other stakeholders to help. This is where the contribution of non-governmental organisations and other civil society groups is paramount.
One of such NGOs, focusing on women’s health is Peorga Women Health Foundation. It was founded by three midwives in 2009 to play a role in health education and women empowerment. The membership of the group has now increased to eight midwives, two secretaries and two assistants.
Since its establishment, the organisation, which is under the leadership of Mrs Esther Quaye-Kuma, has been organising weekly radio programmes on Obonu FM for local women in the Greater Accra Region.
The programme focuses on health issues such as vaginal discharges, breastfeeding and female genital multilation (FGM).
Additionally, the Peorga Women Health Foundation has been organizing lectures on health issues in schools and churches.
In August, 2011, the foundation embarked on a handwashing campaign for schools in Nungua and counselling campaign for family planning and health screening at Prampram.
Apart from health education, the foundation has also been soliciting drugs from pharmaceutical companies to support health institutions. An example is the presentation of drugs and medical equipment valued at GH¢5,761 to the LEKMA Polyclinic at Nungua Addogonno in June, this year.
The presentation was made possible through the support of philanthropists and companies including Danadams, Unichem, Letap Pharmaceuticals, Shalina, M and G and the Nungua Citizens of New Jersey in the United States of America.
As part of its corporate social responsibilities, the foundation in collaboration with the Tema District Women Ministries undertook health screening to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Ghana. Eighty seven people benefited from the programme. Six out of the number, who had lumps in their breasts after going through surgery to remove them were counselled to seek medical help.
Mrs Quaye-Kuma, said what the NGO had so far done was to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Health and its allied agencies to promote health care.
Daily Graphic/graphic.com.gh/Ghana