Hypertension and Overweight are said to be high among inhabitants along the coastal belt of the Western Region.

Apart from these, diabetic cases and obesity are also rampant in communities along the coastal areas of the Region.

These revelations came to light when the Philipa Baafi Foundation offered free health screening in the communities along the coastal belt of the Western Region themed; “How Well Are You” which started on 17^th November, 2017.

It was the first time the musician cum Occupational Therapist and her medical team took the free medical screening and health talk out of Accra since she embarked on the campaign some eight months ago.

In collaboration with the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) Foundation and the Ministry of Health, the Philipa Baafi Foundation screened residents in 14 towns in the first and second phases of the “How Well Are You” campaign tour to the Region.

The 14 towns were Takoradi, Sekondi, Kwesimintsim, Abura, Agona Nkwanta and Aiyinase. The rest were Esiama, Half Assini, Tikobo No. 1, Tikobo No. 2, Sowodadzem, Beyin, Jaway Wharf and Elubo.

Residents in the predominantly fishing communities were screened of illnesses such as Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Body Mass Index, BMI (Obesity), Sugar/Glucose Level (Diabetes), Rapid Diagnostic Tests (Malaria), Physiotherapy (Body & Joint Pain), Eye Test among others.

Out of the 21,035 inhabitants who were screened, 7,173, representing 34.1% were males while 13, 862 representing 65.9% were females.

Meanwhile, 3,323, representing 15.8% were children below 18-years, 6,605, representing 31.4% were between the ages of 18 – 39 while 6,184 representing 29.4% were between the ages of 40 – 59.

The aged who were above 60-years were 4,922, representing 23.4%.

Those with Hypertensive cases topped the chat with 4,544 cases representing 21.6%, followed by the overweight 4, 502 cases representing 21.4%.

Diabetic Cases were 3,071 representing 14.6%, while those with obesity were 2,987 representing 14.2%.

Dr. John Gyenfi of Kremlin Medical and Surgical Centre, Kojokrom, Sekondi, advised the fisherfolks to embark on regular check-ups to avoid sudden illnesses.

“Health is wealth so it is always good to pass by and have a check-up. You don’t know what is hiding inside your body and what will kill you,” Dr. Gyamfi advised.

The General Manager of the GNPC Foundation, Dr. Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, said the “how well are you campaign is in line with the GNPC’s social responsibility to ensure that inhabitants in their operational areas are healthy.”

He said the GNPC will collaborate with the Philipa Baafi Foundation annually to bring health delivery to the door steps of the inhabitants in the operational areas, “in addition to the scholarships that are given to students in these areas.”

“The scholarships are given to students in the areas of study such as science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” Dr. Baah-Nuako explained.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Philipa Baafi Foundation, Kwame Karikari, called on other corporate bodies to emulate the GNPC.

He said the Foundation is poised to send health delivery to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian but it cannot do without the support from both the government and corporate bodies.

There were musical performances and motivational messages from Philipa Baafi herself and highlife musician, Lucky Mensah.