Blue Cross Foundation calls for aged-friendly policies

By Iddi Yire, GNA
Anyinam (E/R), Nov. 21, GNA - The Blue Cross Foundation has urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to facilitate passage of policies that seek to promote the welfare of the aged in the country.

Ms Faustina Gyimah, the Founder of the Blue Cross Foundation, bemoaned the plight of some of the aged in the country due to neglect from their families and communities.

She said the Foundation's objectives were to create the awareness on the need to give back to society, particularly to the elderly.

Ms Gyimah made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at the weekend during a medical outreach programme held at Anyinam in the Eastern Region.

The exercise, which registered 650 residents, was supported by Pharmanova Limited, Alive Pharmaceutical, M & G Pharmaceutical, Shalina Pharmaceutical, Radio 1, Ahotor FM and Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.

It was conducted by a medical team comprising pharmacists, doctors and nurses drawn from the Kwabeng Health Care, Bonsu Cocoa Clinic and Healthline Medical, Anyinam.

Ms Gyimah said the beneficiaries of the exercise were taken through hypertension, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and malaria tests, and offered free medication as well as educating participants on the importance of living healthy.

She said the Foundation had embarked on a number of such programmes in the Greater Accra Region, particularly within the deprived communities, as it planned to organise more medical outreach programmes across the country.

'I'm appealing to all benevolent individuals, churches and organisations who are concerned about the aged to financially support the activities of Blue Cross Foundation' she said.

Ms Gyimah appealed to pharmaceutical companies to support the worthy course adding; 'caring for the aged and the vulnerable in society is a social responsibility'.

She said the Foundation and its partners would embark on a similar health screening exercise at the weekend at Kyebi in the Atiwa East Constituency.

Mr Foster Asante, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Atiwa East, said issues relating to health were one of the constituency's major challenges and that there was the need for people to periodically check their health status.

He said most of the people were engaged in farming activities and so had no time to undergo the various tests being conducted by the medical team.

Mr Asante expressed excitement over the success of the programme and commended all sponsors and participants for the enthusiasm.

He urged Ghanaians to develop interest in regular health check-ups in order to safeguard their health.

He said he would partner with Healthline Medical to embark on similar initiatives that focused on preventive healthcare than curative healthcare.

GNA