Over thirty old folks in the Pipeline Community, Paynesville have benefited from a free medical checkup, treatment, personal hygiene, as well as environmental cleanliness education for a sustainable and healthy life. The medical service was provided by World of Life International (WLI), a faith-based organization.
The free medical checkup and treatment were held at the WLI Ministry in Paynesville, providing check-up for minor illnesses, especially malaria, cold, diarrhea, typhoid, body pain and infectious diseases, among others. However, sickness discovered during the checkup and treatment sessions beyond the medical team’s capacity were referred to other health centers and provided with drugs for suppression.
During the medical session, the old folks were asked some medical questions, and later ended with a physical examination and medication following the diagnosis. Providing an overview for the initiative, Ms. Rebecca K.G. Nyamndo, WLI Ageing Support Coordinator, expressed appreciation to the old folks for their participation, while adding that the program is intended to ensure that old folks are healthy and strong.
According to her, the initiative was intended to buttress government’s efforts since there is no prescribed and accurate national undertaking to address illnesses and concerns affecting old folks across the country. Delivering the keynote address, Madam Yassah Sumo from the Ministry of Health (MOH), encouraged the old folks to do regular medical checkups to enable them maintain a healthy life.
She urged that early check-ups prevent worsening illness, expenditure and death because they are much better with little medicine that is administered. “When you are getting older and you are old, it’s good to do regular checkup. it will help prevent sickness from overcoming you, because when you go to the hospital sooner, even small medicine can solve your problem. Also, it prevents the sickness from getting worst. Sometimes, you can say this thing is not serious yet, but the time you wait for it to get serious, that is the time it brings a dead body and consumes more money; therefore, it’s good to go early and be safe and live long. Going to the hospital sooner saves you from spending plenty of money because when you are sick, even transportation from your house can add up,” She stated.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary, Aloysius Tokpa expressed appreciation to the team and WLI for the continuous assistance. “We want to thank you for helping us. We are old people but you have never forgotten us. We appreciate your gesture. We will try even though we do not have money to do our regular check-ups,” he said.
