The Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Edem Kofi Kpotosu, has marked his birthday by organizing a free health and eye screening exercise for commercial drivers and the general public in Ho.

The initiative, held at the main transport station, aimed at promoting road safety and improving the health status of drivers whose roles are critical to public transportation.

Speaking at the event, Mr Kpotosu emphasized the importance of good health among drivers, noting that the lives of passengers largely depend on their physical condition and alertness. He explained that the screening was designed to help drivers detect underlying health conditions early, particularly eye-related issues, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which could impair safe driving.

The MP noted that many drivers often neglect regular medical check-ups due to the nature of their work, which involves constant movement. He noted that bringing healthcare services closer to them would encourage participation and help inculcate the habit of routine health screening. He further revealed plans to collaborate with the GPRTU to make the exercise a regular monthly or bi-monthly activity.

Mr Kpotosu also used the occasion to advise drivers to prioritize safety over speed, urging them to avoid reckless driving and adhere strictly to road regulations. He cautioned passengers against pressuring drivers to overspeed, encouraging them instead to plan their journeys early to avoid unnecessary haste.

A member of the medical team, Shine Gave, stated that the screening covered eye examinations, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments to detect conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Ho also praised the MP’s intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Branch, Awilo Attito, noted that such initiatives would help reduce the blame often placed on drivers in road accidents by ensuring they are medically fit before embarking on journeys.

He further encouraged all drivers in the municipality to take advantage of such opportunities in the future, adding that the union remains committed to promoting safe driving practices. The event, which coincided with the Ramadan period, also saw calls for continued discipline among drivers and passengers to maintain the relatively low accident rates in the Volta Region.

Meanwhile,drivers and constituents who took part in the health screening expressed gratitude to the mp for this bold initiative.

They described it timely and a life saver as many  of them as drivers and traders do not have enough time to go for medical check-up. 

They appealed to the mp to at least make it ones every moth.