Paynesville – Dozens of old-folks in the Pipeline Community, in Paynesville outside Monrovia on Monday, Aug 25 benefited from free medical checkup from the Word of Life International (WLI), a Christian-based humanitarian organization.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The free medical checkup was provided at WLI School facility with over 35 old folks, most of whom were women, benefiting from the assistance.
The initiative is in consonance with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number #4, which concentrates on ending poverty and leaving no one behind, according to Rebecca K.G. Nyamndo, WLI Ageing Support Coordinator.
The project targets old folks between the ages sixty years and above who are financially unable to cater to their needs and wants.
During the exercise, WLI conducted medical checkup for the participants including high blood pressure (BP), eyes, malaria, pause check, weight and temperature and provided recommendations for treatment.
Speaking in an interview with reporters during the exercise, a representative of the Ministry of Health, Madam Yassah Sumo, urged elderly Liberians to take their health more seriously by seeking regular medical checkups and avoiding self-medication.
Madam Sumo emphasized that aging comes with natural body deterioration, making consistent medical attention critical.
In so doing, she warned against the growing trend of self-medication.
“Regular health checks and proper medication are significant for aging. When the body grows old, there is a pressing need for early medical intervention whenever there is a health issue to ensure quick recovery and minimize high spending on treatment,” she stated.
She further encouraged older citizens to adopt healthy sanitation practices and balanced diets, noting that such preventive measures play a vital role in reducing health risks.
“Your health is in your hands. Let’s learn to go to the hospital and avoid home treatments or buying counter medications without a prescription,” she cautioned.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Augustine K. Ndorbor, Program Manager of the WLI, assured residents and beneficiaries of the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities/population.
“Our doors are open to help you. We are in the process of constructing a clinic, and our aim is to cater to the poor and needy. In this regard, aging is our priority,” Ndorbor stated.
The awareness drive is part of the organization’s efforts aimed at strengthening community health education and improving access to medical services, particularly for the elderly and underprivileged.
Mr. Anderson Vanwen, WLI National Overseer, indicated that the initiative is intended to give visibility to the elderly in terms of medical need.
According to him, the concentration is to ensure that older folks from 60 years and above are well taken care of in the society in order to avoid discrimination and neglect.
“We are providing this opportunity to our elderly folks in the age of sixty and above. We are doing this to help those that need medical attention but financially incapacitated,” Rebecca said.
The beneficiaries, for their part, extolled WLI for the gesture, terming it as lifesaving and rewarding.
Also speaking, old-man Momo Peter and Mother Patience Paygar expressed separate excitement and urged that the government comes in to buttress the effort of the church.
WLI was established in 1998 with a branch in the United States and also obtained Consultative Status with the United Nations in 2018. The group aims at caring for the aged. Its vision is “Connecting all people with resources in order to restore community pride and encourage self-resilience’’.
Since its establishment, WLI has been accredited as an international NGO by the Liberian Government and has been engaged in various programs in Liberia with funding from its USA Office.
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