Iatrophobia, the fear of seeking medical help when one is affected with a disease, has over the years been the plight of residents in and around Bosovilla in the Akyemasa District, in the Eastern Region.
According to oral traditions, residents of the Kwame-Addo community have strong beliefs which do not permit them to seek orthodox medical help when even plagued with strange diseases.
The communities have also been deprived of access to public toilet facilities- a situation which has compelled residents to resort to open defecation. Their only source of drinking water is only a bore-hole that serves the four communities.
Following the recent outbreak of Cholera and other epidemics, a local cocoa shed, initially used to hoard cocoa beans had been turned into a health facility to assist the situation.
However, Divine Mother and Child Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Koforidua, in collaboration with the Joy Herbal Centre, last Saturday thronged the communities, to allay fears and the belief against seeking medical help from hospitals and other health facilities.
At the occasion, about 1,600 residents were screened on Hepatitis B, Malaria, Syphilis, Diabetes, and Hypertension. 350 out of the lot who were affected and were given medications.
Two other affected persons out of about 300 residents screened on breast cancer were also given medications. 1000 assorted clothes, shoes and sandals worth about 300 were also donated to needy residents.
Medical attention was also given to other STD affected patients during the screening.
To climax the occasion, KISS of the Mentor 7 fame, also thrilled the gathering with numerous songs.
Nana Semenko II, the Akradehemaa and Odikuro of Bosovilla, expressed gratitude to DMAC Foundation and their co-sponsor, Joy Herbal Centre, and further appealed to government and other corporate organizations to as a matter of urgency attend to their aid.
According to her, she, together with her elders had reserved a vast land for the construction of a more sophisticated hospital that would be able to serve the four communities, �and in this regard I call on you all to come help us build Bosovilla.�
Mr. Edmund Duodu, the founder of the NGO, speaking to journalists also expressed gratitude to his medical team, especially one Maxwell Aidoo, a Medical Assistant, 7 other nurses and two midwives, for their support during the occasion.
Bosovilla is a four-branch community, namely, Sukuran, Koo-Blonya, Kwame Addo and Bosovilla, with a population of about 1053 residents.
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