By Amin Kef Sesay
The Choithram Hospital, situated on Hill Station in the West End of Freetown is starting professional medical check-ups from the 1st November 2020. The rationale is geared towards the Hospital’s endeavour to promote health and the well-being of all.
Chief Administrator of Choithram Hospital, Harish Agnani, in a statement averred that, “Health check-ups are aimed at screening, identifying risk factors and advising on preventive measures. These are a means to sustain good health and lifestyle”.
On his own part, the Head of Medical Services at Choithram Hospital Dr. Gowrinath M. George underscored that, “We have various check-up plans catering to different categories of screening like General Health Check-up, Basic and Complete Cardiac Check-up, Neurological Evaluation, Gynaecological Evaluation, Junior and Senior citizens health plan and Executive Health check-up for corporate clients .We also have a plan for whole body screening to identify hidden conditions or space occupying lesions (tumors and cancers)”. He added that check-up to determine HIV is not covered as such is dealt with the consent of an individual and is absolutely free.
During this medium’s exclusive interview with Dr. George he responded to the question of why the health check-up that the hospital has undertaken is necessary by stating that it is very significant medically for certain complications or diseases to be detected early especially those that are potentially life threatening. He added that in that light, medical check-up increase the chances for prevention and early treatment.
“As a matter of fact check-up reduce risk of complications by monitoring and greatly helps in promoting healthy lifestyles,” he explained, adding further as to how it also reduces health cost over time.
Responding to the question of who should get it done, Dr. George said living in a fast moving world with hectic work schedules and lifestyles demand medical check-ups to monitor factors that drive our health conditions.
He noted that it is suggested that screening is essential for each and every one periodically to establish a selective approach to keep and stay healthy.
Dilating on the steps to be followed for a check-up, the Head of Medical Services, Choithram Hospital, revealed that the individual should book an appointment and reach the hospital by 8:00 am on empty stomach.
He went on to state that after giving fasting sample, the individual will then have breakfast and complete the rest of the tests.
He clarified that this check-up should not be mistaken for the periodic camps that the hospital conducts from time to time as it will be a permanent feature of the services that Choithram Hospital is now offering. Dr. George said the aforementioned check-up is not done for free as there are charges to be paid.
Disclosing some of the facilities that Choithram Hospital has in place he mentioned the Accident and Emergency Department, Health Check-Up program, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedic, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Surgery, Neurology, Histopathology, Clinical Laboratory, Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Ultrasound guided Biopsy, Digital x-ray, Incentive Care Unit, Cardiology, ENT, Paediatrics, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, 64 Slice CT Scan, Dental x-ray, Mammography.
