As part of activities to mark the 100th year celebration of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), the Sisters of Ghana Region have organized free health screening for the Donkorkrom and Amankwakrom communities respectively, both found in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District, Eastern Ghana, where they serve.
The Screening which took place after the two Sunday Masses of September 29, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Amankwakrom was carried out by the staff of Holy Rosary Health Centre Amankwakrom, together with some staff of the Presbyterian Hospital, Donkorkrom and coordinated by the Holy Rosary Sisters in both stations.
According to Sr. Nkechi Caroline Oraebosi, MSHR, the Facility in-charge and Physician Assistant at Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom, who is also the Regional Leader of the Missionary MSHR Sisters, Ghana, the screening was aimed at “creating awareness in the two communities where we live and work about our upcoming Centenary Celebration on Saturday 5th October, 2024”.
Addressing the Catholic Community at Donkorkrom, Mr. Ernest Kotoh, Physician Assistant at the Holy Rosary Health Centre Amankwakrom, disclosed the content of the free screening package which would cover seven different areas including, checking of sugar, taking of Vital Signs, Laboratory test, eye screening among others.
There were seven different demarcations where patients were being attended to. The first covered the assessment of demographic data, including the name, age, sex, place of residence, their telephone numbers and occupation, which according to the PA “tend to influence the health factors of patients”.
The next table was that for the “Vitals” where blood pressure, pulse, weight, and height were checked.
There was the lab table where focus was on the aged (those above 60 years) and people who were diabetic. Their blood sugar was checked to see whether they were well controlled, and advice given accordingly.
The next in line was the consultation table and based on the assessment that had been done on the previous tables, they were given some advice, and some referred for further management and treatment.
Then there was the dispensary where patients were served Vitamin C and other medication “that would help boost their immune systems so that they can be as healthy as possible”.
Eye and Dental screenings were equally carried out during the exercise. The eye as well as tooth practitioners examined the eyes and tooth of clients to see if they had some defects. Some were given prescriptions, and others referred for further examination.
In all, a total number of 151 persons were screened at Amankwakrom (67 males and 84 females), while 101 were screened at Donkorkrom (42 males and 59 females).
The screening exercise at Amankwakrom culminated in a friendly football match between the staff of Holy Rosary Health Centre and the motorcycle riders of Amankwakrom community, with the Regional Leader of MSHR giving the first kick to start the match.
Present at the football match were some Holy Rosary Sisters, Rev. Fr. Philip Gyapong, Parish Priest of St. Anthony Parish, Amankwakrom, as well as some residents of the area.
Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom is one of the two Catholic Health Facilities owned by the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom and managed by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (MSHR). The other is Holy Spirit Poly-clinic at Kwesi Fante, managed by the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS).
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (Sister Communicator)
