The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi on Thursday organised an outreach programme to offer free medical care and counselling to mechanics and other traders at the Suame Magazine. The aim was to reach out to the mechanics, their families and other allied traders in the industrial estate who often find it difficult to seek regular medical check-ups to ascertain their health status due to time constraints. Mrs Elizabeth Animah Appiah, Director of Pharmacy at KATH, who spoke to the media, said the exercise was also part of the hospital's contribution towards the country's golden jubilee celebration to provide health care delivery to the people in its catchment's areas. She said Ghana's speedy socio-economic development depended much on the health of its human resource and that there was the need to periodically visit the people and create opportunities for them to examine their health. Mrs Appiah said the mechanics would be screened and treated of their eyes, blood pressure and any other diseases, which might be identified, adding that, they would also be counselled on proper dieting, HIV/AIDS, family planning and the need to attend hospital regularly. She said the women and children would also be screened on breast cancer and other health problems that affects women and children adding that, those with serious cases would be referred to the hospital for further examination and treatment. Mrs Appiah, said the exercise, which would cost several millions of cedis is part of the hospital's efforts to educate the public on the need to lead healthy lifestyles to prevent contracting diseases and also seek early treatment during sickness. Source: GNA