Mission 2008 Outreach Extends Medical Support To 1000 People

More than 1000 people benefited from a 10-day free medical care organised by Handi Vangelism and Echoing Hills Village, both non-profit organisations working for the needy and people with disabilities at Ogbojo near Madina in the Greater Accra Region.

Free drugs and spectacles were also given to those treated of various diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, allergies, hypertension, piles, arthritis and various infections.

It was sponsored by Hope Community Church in Pennsylvania, USA.

Briefing the Times on the exercise code named, "Missions 2008 Medicare Outreach", here on Saturday, Lori McClure, operations manager of the Church and head of the 18-member medical team from the US, described it as a big success, judging from the high attendance and treatment given.

She said that most of the beneficiaries were people with various physical disabilities, the aged and others from the outlining communities.

"Those whose cases needed special attention were advised to seek further medical attention," Ms McClure explained in answer to a question.

The free drugs and spectacles that were given to the patients, she said were donated by the Samaritan Purse, base in North Carolina, a philanthropic organisation that has specialised in relief work.

Contributing, Mr John Peters, a member of the team and board member of Handi Vangelism in the USA, said that during the team's first visit to Ghana last year, it realised that there was a great need for them to come again "and we feel we have to do as much as we can for the people here".

Auntie Anma Nyome, a stenographer was full of praise for the team because of the free reading glasses and arthritis treatment she received from the team when the Times spoke to her.

Giving his overview of the exercise, Pastor Larry Lamina, Africa Coordinator of Handi Vangelism and Head of Echoing Hills Village, commended the team for the amount of work they were able to do in the 10 days.

He said that apart from the free medical care, they also assisted in the construction of a kitchen and a Sunday school for the Handi Vangelism Rehabilitation and Resource Centre at Haatso.

Pastor Lamina was particularly happy with the large number of people who received free spectacles, and explained that it was because eye treatment was not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

"In view of the large number of people with various disabilities including deaf, dumb, physically handicapped under our care, we will be grateful for public assistance in meeting their needs," he pleaded.