By Yaaba Yamikeh
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has provided free healthcare services to residents of Samahu and Abekoase in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality as part of efforts to improve community health and promote early disease detection.
The exercise, held in the two communities on Saturday, October 17, was organised in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Tarkwa, Unilever Ghana and Diagnostic Centre Limited (DCL) under the theme, “Every Story Is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”
It formed part of the Foundation’s fourth-quarter Health Engagement and Access Link (HEAL) programme, which focused on breast cancer awareness and early detection.
A total of 735 people underwent screening for various health conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, impaired lung function, and eye, ear, nose, throat and dental conditions. Beneficiaries also received free medications, while X-ray and ultrasound services were provided.
Of the 185 women screened for breast cancer, 21 were referred to health facilities for further assessment and management.
The exercise also enabled some residents to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), while others renewed their membership cards, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 937.
Strategic investment
Addressing the residents, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mr Abdel-Razak Yakubu, said the fourth-quarter HEAL programme represented another strategic investment in preventive healthcare and community well-being.
He observed that late detection, limited awareness, low screening rates and delays in seeking medical attention continued to expose many Ghanaians to serious health complications, affecting early diagnosis and treatment.
He said the Foundation regularly organised health programmes in its host communities to address these challenges and save lives.
Mr Yakubu disclosed that GH¢606,964 had been invested in the fourth-quarter HEAL programme to bring healthcare services closer to residents, raise awareness about disease prevention and promote the early detection of conditions, particularly breast cancer.
He said providing healthcare services within communities made them more accessible and encouraged residents to undergo regular medical check-ups for early diagnosis and treatment.
Relevance
“The outcome of the exercise demonstrates the continued relevance of the HEAL programme in addressing healthcare needs within host communities, promoting preventive healthcare and improving access to essential medical services,” he said.
Mr. Yakubu urged residents, particularly women, to undergo routine medical check-ups and seek medical attention whenever they noticed unusual changes in their bodies. He emphasised that early detection significantly improved treatment outcomes.
He added that the HEAL programme supported Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which promotes good health and well-being, through improved access to preventive healthcare, health education and early disease detection and management.
According to him, the initiative also supported SDG 10 by helping reduce inequalities in access to essential healthcare services.
“Furthermore, the initiative advances SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the collaborative efforts of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, the Rotary Club of Tarkwa, Unilever Ghana and Diagnostic Centre Limited to enhance health outcomes and improve community well-being,” he said.
