Statistics provided by the medical team from the Ministry of Health and the Ga South Municipal Hospital (Akawe) in the Greater Accra region indicate that “about 70% of market men and women screened during the Philipa Baafi Foundation free health screening at the Dome Market have high blood pressure and diabetes”.
Dr. Jarvis Abilla, who is the Medical Superintendent at the Ga South Municipal Hospital who led the team, attributed the increase in these two diseases to longer hours of sitting and their inability to attend regular medical checks due to the nature of their jobs.
Two out of the 70% were so high that, the medical team wanted them to be sent to the hospital since there was a waiting ambulance. However, “the women declined to go to the hospital”.
Dr Sena of the Ministry of Health also attested to the assertion and said “most of the people screened were very much aware of their condition but were not prepared to seek further medical attention”.
Dr. Sena said “the traders refused to be taken to the hospital because they claim there will be nobody to take care of their wares and again they needed to sell to get their daily bread”.
Hundreds of traders, shoppers and passersby stormed the Dome Market of the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, for the “How Well Are You” health screening campaign by the popular musician and Physiotherapist, Philipa Baafi.
The medical team and team Philipa Baafi Foundation had a hectic moment controlling the crowd as each of the traders, shoppers and passerby wanted to be screened.
Supported by MTN, GOIL Ghana Limited, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Anadwo Ye De Mosquito Coil, Tinatette Herbal, the “How Well Are You” free health screening screened over 500 people on Blood Pressure, Glucose/ Sugar level, Malaria and Body Mass Index (BMI) which are noted to be the common ailments among a number of market women.
Apart from the musical performance which involved hit songs from Philipa Baafi, she also performed Physiotherapy treatment for some patients.
Present at the event was the Minister of State in charge of Procurement at the Presidency, Sarah Adwoa Safo who is also the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya and Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament.
