PHARMACIST ADVISES THE AGED (PAGE 29)

Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Essipon

A Pharmacist at the Essikado Hospital in Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis, Mr Sampson K. Quaicoe, has called on the aged to desist from excessive use of antibiotics as they rather worsen their health problems.
He says such antibiotics are not really the solution to their ailment. “Their minds have been made up and they feel better when they take these drugs. However, they are ignorant of the fact that it is harmful to them”.
He was speaking to the Daily Graphic after a medical screening exercise for senior citizens at a banquet held for the aged at Essipon. It was organised by Master Care, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Chief of Essipon, Nana Kofi Abuna V.
Mr Quaicoe said one of the underlying factors was that the community did not have a clinic, and considering the cost of travelling to Essikado, Takoradi, Sekondi or other nearby towns, they felt going to the chemical shops was a better option.
“With that constraint, they rather prefer to turn to self-medication which has a very serious effect on them. Sadly, they are ignorant, since they do not know that at their age, they are qualified for free medical care under the National Health Insurance Scheme”, he said.
He suggested that because of the contribution of these senior citizens to national development, the various schemes and their managers should visit the various communities to register the aged and also educate them on the benefits.
To the aged, the pharmacist said: “You should know that when you abuse the said drugs, they would no longer be effective when the doctors prescribe them for you. For your own good, please seek the services of the medical doctors at the various health centres”.
He also took the opportunity to educate those present and urged them to be disciples by carrying the message to those who could not make it to the banquet.
“We need you; you are very important to us and your contributions in the past and present are much appreciated”.
The chief, Nana Kofi Abuna, commended the medical team for responding to their call.
She said the aged were agents of change, and full of wisdom and love for their community and the country as a whole.
“Through these interactions we will be able to tap their rich experiences that are not chronicled in any textbook for the present generation to learn from”.
She, therefore, appealed to them to take the medical team’s advice seriously to ensure that they would not further complicate their health problems.