Member of Parliament for Effutu constituency, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo Markin, has indicated his commitment to fighting Hepatitis B, which is on the ascendency in the constituency.
The Effutu MP, who doubles as the majority leader of Ghana’s Parliament, believes the disease has not been given the needed attention, hence ravaging homes in the Effutu enclave.
Afenyo Markin noted that nine hundred out of the fourteen thousand individuals screened for the virus have tested positive and are being treated.
The Effutu legislator explained that he has already spent more than two million cedis on the purchase of vaccines for the treatment of the virus.
"The virus is doing a lot of harm than good in the Effutu constituency, with over nine hundred testing positive for the disease. It will interest you to know that Mumbies Foundation Ghana, a non-governmental organization, has taken keen interest in the testing and screening process, going the extra mile to ensure all within Effutu are vaccinated," Afenyo Markin noted.
The Effutu MP also commissioned an ultra-modern office within the Effutu enclave to help in the testing and treatment of Hepatitis B.
Speaking after the grand opening of the office complex, the MP indicated that the siting of the office complex is key in ensuring that constituents can easily locate them and get tested.
The Mumbies Foundation team initially moved through the various communities within Effutu, embarking on the screening exercise.
"I am leading the charge against this deadly virus. The establishment of the office complex will help in the fight against the disease. Initially, the Mumbies Foundation team went round testing and treating people, but with the establishment of the stationary office within the community, it will be easier to be located by community members and possibly get tested," the Effutu legislator told Citi News.
The MP also cautioned against the use of herbal treatment for Hepatitis B, indicating that he is not against the use of herbal treatment but added that the use of herbal treatment makes it difficult to monitor the dosage of medication, among other issues.
"I am not against herbal treatment, but all I am saying is that it makes it difficult to monitor the number of dosages, neither would you know whether a particular herbal treatment is for the treatment of the virus. There were situations where some three individuals who tested positive decided to go for herbal treatment against orthodox medication and have since passed on. I will also encourage my people to pick up positive lifestyles by exercising and eating well. These positive lifestyles sometimes help in the fight against the virus. I have been vaccinated, as well as my family and close friends," the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu noted.
Medical Director and Consultant of the Trauma and Specialists Hospital, Dr. Prah George Kwame, called for a concerted effort in fighting the disease, which is on the rise in the Effutu area, thus calling on all to get tested.
"Getting tested and knowing your status makes it easier for you to be treated. The Hepatitis B virus is causing a lot of harm than good, and the initiative by the MP is a step in the right direction and, thus must be supported by constituents. The only way we can support is by getting tested. I have seen people die of this deadly disease and the harm it has caused to families, so we must give it the needed attention," the Medical Director of the Trauma and Specialists Hospital emphasized.
Israel Adorbley, founder of Mumbies Foundation Ghana, expressed his commitment towards the gesture by the MP, indicating his resolve to continue in the fight against the disease.
"We have shown our commitment to fighting this deadly disease as an organization. This cannot be done without support from Alexander Afenyo Markin, the MP for the area. He has already supported the fight with over two million Ghana cedis and is still ready to support us with more funds in fighting this menace. Today, with the help of the MP, we have an office situated within the community, making it easier for the people within the community to locate us and get tested. This move will support the testing and treatment of the disease since any member of the community can just walk in and get tested. It will also reduce the pressure from the hospitals within this enclave," Israel Adorbley, founder of Mumbies Foundation Ghana, said.
Credit: Godwin Kusi Danquah
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