Nandom Gets Free Surgeries

The surgical team operating on one of the patients

NANDOM YOUTH Forum (NYF), an NGO comprising sons and daughters of the Nandom district of the Upper West region has organized its annual free medical screening for people in the community.

More than 700 residents were screened and treated for various illnesses including malaria, diarrheal diseases, hypertension, chronic liver diseases and fevers.

The medical team also carried out hernia surgical operations, a hysterectomy as well as an emergency Caesarean section. Other patients who required a Plaster of Paris (POP) also had them fixed by the team.

Four medical doctors working outside the region participated in the health outreach programme including Dr Alexis Ire, Medical Superintendent of Bimbila Hospital in the Northern region, Dr Donatus Dery of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Dr Mohammed Bukari and Dr Boahen Antwi, both of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

During a radio discussion as part of the programme, Dr Dery advised the people to keep their environment clean and put in place good drainage systems to stop the breeding of mosquitoes which spread malaria.

He admonished them to sleep under insecticide treated mosquito nets and seek early medical attention any time they are sick.

Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area, Naa (Dr) Puoure Puobe Chiir VII, organized a mini durbar of all chiefs in the traditional area at his palace to interact with members of the NYF.   

During the interaction, the medical team advised against the excessive intake of alcohol which leads to liver diseases.

They also asked farmers along rivers to wear protective clothing to avoid getting bitten by the river blindness causing black fly.   

Tracing the history of the NGO, Cuthbert Kuupiel, Vice President of the group, said it all started in 2004 when a few Nandom youth decided to collaborate to cater for the health needs of the people.

National Organizer of NYF, Vitus Ninfaakang, acknowledging the contributions of certain individuals and organizations towards the program's success, thanked the Ghana Pharmaceutical Council, EximGuaranty Company Ltd, Naa Chiir, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, MP for Lawra-Nandom, Ambrose Dery, the medical team and staff of Nandom Hospital.