Health authorities in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region are full of praise for US-based not-for-profit organization, Jackson Impact Foundation, for supporting the treatment and care of people living with non-communicable diseases.

Despite the growing case burden of non-communicable disease due to poor lifestyles, many people still shy away from visiting health facilities for treatment.

The Foundation, led by renowned US preacher, Apostle Wayne T. Jackson, and wife, Dr. Beverly Jackson, is bringing hope to the poor as treatment is brought to the doorsteps of the community.

Non-communicable diseases used to be prevalent among adults and the obese.

But District Director of Health Services for Sekyere Central, Susana Nkrumah, tells Joynews diabetics and hypertension are no more the preserve of adults and obese, as the health directorate records cases involving children.

“The prevalence is high and unfortunately for Sekyere Central, we don’t have a district hospital.

So even if we are able to diagnose, we have to refer to another district which is Mampong; the one that is closer for confirmation and then the medical officer will place him or her on medication,” she said.

“The age range, now things are different. It used to be the aged. It used to be the obsessed. Now things are different.” Mrs. Nkrumah added.

Lack of a hospital to deal with the situation means residents who visit health facilities are referred to nearby Asante Mampong Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

Many residents are unable to afford the cost of treatment outside their catchment.

But thanks to renowned US preacher, Apostle Wayne T. Jackson, and his wife, Dr. Beverlyn Jackson, free screening and treatment have been organized for residents of Abasua, Asuafu, Awanya, and Adutwam, among others.

Residents turned up in their numbers as a medical team from the US under the auspices of the Jackson Impact Foundation teamed up with counterparts from the Ghana Health Services to deliver free healthcare to the people.

District Director of Health Services, Mrs. Susan Nkrumah, is happy with the gains made so far with the free services.

“You will see some young, young ones having it; both sexes and then we have what we call juvenile diabetes. I mean children have it. It’s no more the aged or the obese.”

According to her, the arrangement fits into the Ghana Health Service’s Universal Health Coverage, which means healthcare is brought to the doorsteps of the people.

“Basically lifestyle. Our health seeking behavior is not how it is supposed to be. You will not go (to the hospital) till you are hit and strike by the disease. Before you get there, it’s too late.”

Beneficiaries had walked from nearby communities to participate in the free exercise, which also saw them receive medication free of charge.

“Before you walk to any hospital for treatment, you should have some few cedis on you. Right from the gate, that is, the record unit to the pharmacy for medication, you know how expensive it is. In fact, it is very, very expensive.  If it hadn’t been the support of Apostle (Wayne Jackson) and the wife Dr. (Beverly Jackson) to organize this and then the community members, some of them equally wouldn’t have afford.”

The medical team had a tough time attending to the huge number of participants.

The leader of the US team, Dr. Grace Patterson tells Joynews it is fulfilling to serve the needy.

“First of all, it’s like being able to give to people that won’t be able to have access to what have been provided and just knowing that really makes me feel good.” She said.

Fifty-year-old Abenaa Frimpomaa is a native of Asuafu, situated some kilometers away from Abasua. She is a beneficiary of the free healthcare programme which saw over 1,000 residents being diagnosed and treated. She is overwhelmed by developmental programs implemented by the Jackson Impact Foundation, which has transformed Abasua.

She is happy to receive care from the medical team from the US.

“Abasua has undergone transformation. The new chief palace, JHS Block and ICT laboratory. They are all nice. I felt privileged to be treated by these expatriates. They appear huge in stature; all the women who speak English are very pretty.

The Jackson Impact Foundation is not only providing the free medical care to the Abasua community but also came with a 20-footer container full of food items, clothing, books and medical supplies with a new ICT Lab set to be commissioned.

But for Apostle Wayne T. Jackson, the decision to provide healthcare for the people is a response to a divine calling.

“Jesus said, Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. So we come from America; we leave our homes and leave our places to come here to be a blessing.”

Apostle Wayne Jackson is promising to do more for residents as an ICT lab his foundation constructed for local Abasua D/A JHS is set to be commissioned.