The launch of GIZ’s “Prevention is better than Cure” project, in partnership with NMSI, took place at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa on Saturday 8th Oct.
NMSI’s partnership with GIZ has progressed well over the last few months, with the foundations being laid for the initial roll out of the ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’ programme being headed by Miriam Sai, Genelec Support Services’ clinical specialist.” The programme has progressed well and on 2 September, it was introduced to local Dodowa Community leaders and stakeholders, who have consented for the project to be rolled out into the wider community. This is great news as this community engagement was always going to be crucial for the success of the programme.
It is also a great step forward in promoting preventive health measures and starting to educate communities on how to avoid risks to health and prevent illness. This is believed to be one of the first preventive health care programmes in Ghana.
The aim of this program is to provide:
- Access to information on preventive health in hospitals
- Trained staff for consultation on preventative health measures
- A bridge between traditional and modern medicine
Targeted information on high risks such as malaria, TB, HIV, waterborne viral illnesses The programme will provide for:
- Training for 30 Community volunteers and 18 Nurses from three local communities
- A 14-day Community sensitization programme delivered by the trained staff
- A 10-day screening program (BMI/Hypertension/Blood Sugar/Breast Screening/Nutrition) for the three local communities.
The launch of the programme will take place at the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa, built by NMS Infrastructure under the Built To Care District Hospital programme and fully handed over to the Ghana Health Service in August 2016, with three communities having been identified to participate within this programme.
GIZ will be working closely with the Ministry of Health on this and if the pilot proves to be a success, it will be rolled out into other African countries.
NMSI provides a full design/build/equip/train service for the development of locally appropriate health-related infrastructure. NMSI brings to bear the expertise of award-winning experts in the field to provide the latest in innovation and design.