More than 150 farmers at Yapei in the Savannah Region have benefited from a free health screening exercise organised by the Ghana Nurses Association of Dallas-Fort Worth (GNA-DFW), a non-profit organisation based in the United States of America.
The farmers were screened for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. They were also provided with medications, counselling and referrals to hospitals for further treatment in cases of severe complications.
In addition to the health screening, the association donated food items, including rice and cooking oil, to the beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries are employees of the Agromite Limited, an agribusiness start-up based at Yapei. In collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and the National Service Authority, the company is undertaking a tomato production project aimed at producing large quantities of tomatoes to help feed the nation and reduce importation.
Medical outreach
The Founder of the Ghana Nurses Association in Texas-USA, Joan Asafo-Agyei, said the gesture formed part of the association’s biannual health outreach programme in Ghana.
Given the difficult working conditions faced by farmers, she indicated that the association deemed it necessary to support the workers with health screenings to enhance their well-being.
She, however, advised the beneficiaries to prioritise their health by visiting hospitals regularly for check-ups.
For her part, the President of the Association, Gloria Opoku Dartey, indicated that similar outreach programmes would be organised in other parts of the region in the coming days.
“We intend to hold a health durbar in the Tamale Township, as well as outreach sessions at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the Nursing Training College,” she said.
She reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities with free health services.
Gratitude
For her part, the Director of Human Resources and Administration at the Agromite Limited, Rosemond Anim-Somuah, expressed gratitude to the medical team for the support, saying the gesture would go a long way to improve the health and productivity of the workers
She said the tomato production project would create more employment opportunities for the youth in the area and contribute to national food security.
Background
Founded in 2008 by six nurses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, the GNA-DFW comprises registered nurses, nurse practitioners, radiology technicians and ultrasound technicians.
The association advocates health equity, mobilises medical supplies for rural clinics and supports institutions facing resource.
