The Rotary, Lions, Rotaractors, and Leo Clubs have undertaken a joint health screening exercise in Abume, a riverine community along the Volta Lake in the Asugyaman District of the Eastern Region.

The screening exercise was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam

About 58 Rotary, Lions, Rotaractors, and Leo Clubs as part of the core objective of providing service to others, extended healthcare to the deprived Abume community.

The Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, the Rotary District Governor (DG) David Osei Amankwah Junior, District 9104, President of the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City, Rotarian Henry Addo, a Former District Chief Executive for Shai Osudoku District and Lion Daniel Akufo joined hundreds of members from across the country to provide free health screenings for the locals.

The exercise saw some 1,032 residents screened for Bilharzia, hypertension, diabetes, eyes, ears, and dental conditions.

The team also created awareness on mental health, and de-wormed children, and provided instant issuance and renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme cards for beneficiaries for free.

A member of the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City, Rotarian Exornam who led the organizing team underscored the need to extend health services to the deprived community, which lacks a health center.

She emphasized the provision and renewal of the National Health Insurance Cards for the beneficiaries would help them access basic healthcare when the need arises.

“The aim is that, since they don't have access to medical care in their community, if they have an active health insurance card, they may be able to access a hospital which is just some meters away from their village.

"The river is their main source of water, and it is the same river they defecate into. This exposes them to Bilharzia cases, so we also administered some medication to them to help reduce the number of Bilharzia cases", she explained.

Some eye conditions and ear conditions were identified during the screening exercise.

An Ear, Nose, and Throat Health Specialist, William Hodzie, warned against inserting foreign materials into the ear and removing wax from the ears.

“The public should desist from putting cotton buds or toothpicks into the ears. We are not supposed to remove the wax, it protects the ears, lubricates it, and protects it from insects. Where you take the wax out, you are exposing the ears to infections”, he stressed.

Lion Nehemiah Atiga of the Accra Golden Lions Club reiterated that the exercise falls in line with a focus area of the club which is serving communities that are in need.

He lauded the organizational prowess of the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City, which is one of the youngest clubs in the country, and expressed optimism about bigger and better organizations in the future.

The Assemblyman for the area, Honorable Timothy Adzogli who played a vital role in organizing the health screening exercise was grateful to the Clubs for reaching out to his people.

However, the Clubs are aiming at raising funds to provide a health center, potable water and undertake a campaign against open defecation.