Tarkwa: Dr. Baaba Damoah, President of the Society of Family Physicians of Ghana (SOFPOG), has cautioned the youth in Tarkwa and its environs not to abuse pain killers, as it could lead to kidney damage. The warning was issued in response to the prevalent misuse of Tramadol and strong analgesics by young people in these areas, largely due to the nature of their work and the presence of illegal mining activities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Damoah shared these insights with journalists at the Tarkwa main lorry station during a free medical outreach organized by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine in partnership with SOFPOG. The outreach aimed to provide essential health services to the residents of Tarkwa in the Western Region. Dr. Damoah emphasized that beyond kidney damage, the abuse of these drugs can adversely affect the body as a whole.
The outreach program offered residents a range of health services, including blood sugar and pressure checks, malaria testing, hepatitis B and C screenings, Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing, dental and eye examinations, as well as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) consultations. Despite the rain, the turnout was significant, with the medical team expecting to attend to 1,000 people by the end of the program.
Dr. Damoah highlighted that the screenings revealed both acute and chronic illnesses among some patients, while others were found to be in good health. This provided an opportunity to educate residents on preventive health measures. The exercise was part of the events marking this year's World Family Doctor Day and coincided with their Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Tarkwa.
She expressed gratitude to AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine for their support in delivering these free services to the community. Dr. Damoah also noted that SOFPOG has been active in Ghana for nearly 20 years, consisting of qualified doctors who have further specialized to cater to people of all ages and health conditions.