South Tongu DCE Advocates for Preventive Healthcare Among Market Women

South tongu: Ms. Victoria Dzeko, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for South Tongu, has emphasized the need for enhanced preventive healthcare among women, particularly those in the market trading sector, in a bid to improve access to basic healthcare services within the district. According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Dzeko highlighted this initiative during the commissioning of the Sogakope Market Free Primary Healthcare Post. The newly established facility is designed to offer free basic healthcare services, including consultations, routine screenings, and emergency triage, to traders and residents in the market and nearby communities. Addressing the audience, which included market women and leaders from the Sogakope and Dabala markets, Ms. Dzeko noted that the facility marks a significant step towards decentralizing healthcare delivery. She stressed that bringing preventive services closer to people will help overcome one of the main barriers to healthcare access, especially for women whose business and family obligations often prevent them from seeking timely medical attention. She encouraged women to utilize the facility and adopt the practice of regular health checks, underscoring that early detection and treatment can greatly reduce the complications associated with delayed medical care. Ms. Dzeko pointed out that many women, while managing businesses and supporting families, tend to neglect their own health. The presence of the healthcare facility within the market is expected to prompt traders to seek medical advice promptly, instead of waiting until health issues become severe. She also emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the South Tongu District Assembly and the District Health Directorate to enhance preventive healthcare and widen access to basic medical services throughout the district. The DCE reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to supporting initiatives that bring essential health services closer to residents, particularly vulnerable groups and those for whom regular visits to traditional health facilities are challenging. She asserted that improved access to preventive healthcare would not only foster healthier communities but also help safeguard household incomes and maintain productivity within the district.