More than 1,000 residents of Cape Coast and its environs at the weekend received free screening to know their blood group type.
The screening programme, organized by Blood and Genotype Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Accra, also educated and gave health advice to the residents in relation to the healthy living depending on their blood group.
The Founder and Project Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Sateckla, in an interview with the GNA explained that the activity formed part of programmes lined up to create public awareness and promote healthy living in relation to blood types and help people to know the diet suitable for their blood group.
He noted that most chronic diseases in the world today were blood related and therefore knowing one’s blood group and genotype was vital in combating many of them.
Mr. Sateckla said the event has become necessary in the face of the upsurge of chronic non communicable diseases such as cancer, hypertension, heart diseases and osteoporosis in the country, adding that, empowering people on health issues is non-negotiable.
“Many chronic diseases in the country are basically diet related,” he said and expressed the need for Ghanaians to take issues about healthy lifestyles very serious.
He stated that all Ghanaians must know their groups and genotypes as well as the fruits and diet suitable to enhance or boost their health and adhere to them for healthy living.
The Central Regional Minister, Aquinas Tawiah Quansah urged the public to take issues of health seriously and have ample time to exercise to be able to prevent or manage a wider range of health related problems and concerns.
He noted that many Ghanaians have little or no knowledge about their health, and are often susceptible to certain preventable diseases and commended Blood and Genotype Foundation for the bold initiative to create the awareness and educate people about their healthy living.
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Source: GNA