Health Minister endorses Okyeame Kwame's Hepatitis B Screening

The Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, has endorsed Okyeame Kwame’s Hepatitis B Screening and Vaccination project.

The project kick-started on July 21, with a video message from the Minister which has been followed by a heavy social media campaign.

Dubbed “Know your Hepatitis Facts”, the video commended Okyeame Kwame for his relentless effort in fighting Hepatitis and also admonishing the general public to partake in the event; getting screened and vaccinated against the disease.

For the seventh year running, Ghana's most versatile and decent rapper, Okyeame Kwame is set to hold his annual Free Hepatitis B Screening and Vaccination Exercise.

This year's screening will come off in Ho on July 28, on the back of the release of his first Gospel Song, “Hallelujah” which is receiving rave reviews for its creativity.

The project which is in collaboration with MDS-Lancet Laboratories and endorsed by the Ministry of Health has screened over 6000 people and vaccinated many against hepatitis B since its inception.

It aims at eliminating the viral disease for a healthier and wealthier nation. This year with the support of The Theobald Foundation, CSS Pharmacy in New York, Ho-based Kekeli Radio, The Volta Regional Hospital and The Volta Regional Health Directorate, the Okyeame Kwame Foundation seeks to screen and vaccinate 1000 more people.

Professionals from MDS-Lancet Laboratories will provide a free screening for the viral disease. Those tested negative will be vaccinated for free by nurses from the Regional Hospital while those tested positive will receive professional counseling from medical personnel from the Regional Hospital in Ho.

Okyeame Kwame in an interview with the media also asserted that, “condom use and a positive attitude is the way to go if we want to eliminate hepatitis. I therefore want to advise the general public most especially the youth to help in the fight against hepatitis by being condom wise at all times.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive for at least 6 months).

More than 686 000 people die every year due to complications of hepatitis B, including cirrhosis and liver cancer

This year's project is built on the theme "Hepatitis B Elimination, Our Next Greatest Achievement" and will see in attendance Chiefs, Personnel from the Regional Health Directorate, Medical Personnel from the Regional Hospital, Radio Personalities and other renowned opinion leaders in the Volta Region.

An after party dubbed “After Party with Okyeame Kwame” is also set to take place on July 30, at the Al-Tizza Pub and Grill.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com