By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Volta River Authority (VRA) in partnership with Smile 4 Ghana, a not-for-profit organization, based in the United Kingdom (UK), has carried out a comprehensive dental healthcare exercise for the people of Battor, Mepe and other adjourning communities of the North Tongu District
The initiative which forms part of the ongoing relief support services that the VRA has been providing to Akosombo Dam spillage flood-affected victims, since October 2023, provided services like general health briefing, basic health checks such as blood pressure levels and ascertaining respective peculiar health status and specialist dental care.
The three-day exercise held at the Battor Catholic Hospital attracted hundreds of residents who were diagnosed with different dental conditions.
Acting Medical Director, Battor Catholic Hospital, Dr. Felicia Akuribire, underscored the importance of the exercise highlighting that the entire North Tongu District has no resident dentist creating a vacuum in dental healthcare; therefore, such outreach is a key intervention in bridging the gap.
“This hospital is the district hospital but we lack a resident dentist so most of the people living in these areas have never received any dental care which is a worry considering the importance of dental hygiene. This outreach would impact the communities and address some of the pressing health challenges we encounter here.
“On behalf of management, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the VRA and the Smile 4 Ghana team for their support,” she said.
Trustee, Smile 4 Ghana, Dr. George Brown, speaking to the media on the second day, highlighted that about 200 individuals were already diagnosed with different conditions and had appropriate treatment.
He mentioned that those with various levels of dental problems received free dental screening, cleaning of teeth, immediate necessary treatment, and advice on the need to practice good oral hygiene.
“The conditions are many, and so, those that we cannot treat completely now, we are referring them to a dentist in the capital city,” he said.
However, Dr Brown highlighted that the bigger challenge in dental care is the limited number of dentists in the country- about 800 dentists for a population of over 34 million, hence the need to propagate dental education as a preventive measure.
The Medical Director, VRA Hospitals, Dr Kwabena Omari Yeboah, mentioned that upon the realization that the health facilities in the worst affected flood communities do not have dentists, the VRA deemed it fit to partner with Smile 4 Ghana who has the expertise in dental conditions treatment and the right ultramodern mobile equipment to perform such a vital activity.
“We provided shelter, clothing, food, and other vital welfare requirements to the affected people and even though the flood has receded we still find it fit to offer care to the people. As we are all aware the worst affected flood area is the North Tongu District and interestingly it has no dentist so this is a continuation of what we have started last year,” he said.
VRA Manager for Community Relations, Samuel Fletcher, said the free medical outreach programme was important considering the role affected communities play as key stakeholders of the Authority’s operations.
