2 weeks ago
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More than 1,000 residents of Subri in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region over the weekend benefitted from a free medical screening organised by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).
The GFGF in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Tarkwa, Anaji, and Bogoso, was part of their efforts to bridge health care access gaps and raise awareness on critical health issues.
Others wait for their turn at the Subri programme
The outreach, which was to beef up breast cancer awareness, screening patients for diabetes and blood pressure, also promoted National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registrations with more enrolling on the scheme.
The outreach team comprising doctors, laboratory technicians, a dentist, and an optometrist, took patients through Out-Patients consultations, and medications, all aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of Subri’s residents.
The Executive Secretary of GFGF, Abdel -Razak Yakubu, spoke about the persistent challenges Subri residents faced in accessing healthcare.
He said, “Healthcare is a major challenge. It’s not just about having health facilities in place. People often struggle with the resources needed to reach and utilise these facilities.”
Mr Yakubu mentioned the prohibitive costs involved in accessing the nearest NHIS office in Tarkwa, which was about GH¢100, a significant barrier for the residents of Subri.
Unit Manager for Health Services at Gold Fields Ghana, Dr Magdalene Bakari, led educational sessions on self-breast examinations, emphasising early detection of breast cancer.
She added, “We’re empowering people to take charge of their health. We are also encouraging community members to incorporate regular
Check-ups and self-screenings into their routines.”
The Public Relations Officer for NHIS, Ebenezer Atuahene, said the outreach reached out to children and adults, who were previously uninsured or needed renewals.
He revealed that most children at Subri were not enrolled on the scheme while some adults also renewed their NHIS cards.
President of Rotary Tarkwa, Nathaniel Northa, stated that the event also underscored the club’s long-standing commitment to community health.
“For five years, Rotary Clubs have partnered with the Gold Fields Foundation to bring healthcare to people in need. October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to raise awareness of this and other ailments,” he noted.
Charter President of Rotary Bogoso, Rose Beauty Armoo, further stressed the Rotary’s global focus on medical care, particularly, breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 31.8 per cent of all female cancers.
“We are committed to promoting good health. When there is life, there is hope, and we want to ensure that people in these communities live healthy lives. This collaborative effort between the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation and Rotary Clubs illustrates the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in healthcare, especially for underserved communities.” she explained
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI
BOYE, SUBRI
