By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has organised a free medical outreach at Brahabobom community in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
This is to ensure quality healthcare for all, to enable the individuals to know their health status, and then live a healthy lifestyle.
The community members were screened and tested on malaria, blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index as well as the eye, etc.
Health professionals who supported in the medical outreach were past beneficiaries of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Scholarship Scheme.
In an interview with the media at Brahababom, the Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, explained that health screening is a valuable resource for early detection of illness and to protect the individual against potential risks that may otherwise lead to complications.
“The interventions that the foundation has in our host communities are not just bits and pieces, everything is linked. When we give scholarships, we have a vision that one day the beneficiaries will come out of school and also give back to the community,” he added.
He mentioned that the foundation has invested over GH¢130,000 in acquiring medicines and paying stipends to volunteers involved in the outreach programme.
“This significant investment underscores the foundation’s dedication to improving the health and well-being of the people in its host communities,” Mr. Yakubu said.
Over 500 people were screened during the medical outreach. The most prevailing diseases were malaria in children, respiratory infections and blood pressure.
The presence of an optometrist at the event was particularly appreciated by the community members, many of whom received much-needed eye care.
Some were given medications while others were referred to seek medical attention at a health facility close by.
Dr. Antoinette Atta Hasford, a Medical Officer at Tarkwa Mine Hospital, advised elderly people who are diabetic and hypertensive but have stopped taking their medication without any apparent reasons to desist from such acts.
He urged caregivers and family members to encourage the patients to take their medication.
“The success of this year’s medical outreach is a clear indication of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in its host communities through coordinated and impactful initiatives”, he said.
Nana Adjoa Baawah I of Apinto Brahabobom applauded Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for their efforts in bringing healthcare to the doorstep of the people.
She pointed out that it was the first time such an inclusive healthcare service has been provided in the area. “I am glad a lot of people have been treated freely and given medications.”
She prayed the foundation would organise the medical outreach every quarter to enable individuals who cannot access medical attention at the hospital because of financial constraints to do so.
Margaret Edu-Bofuo, a scholarship beneficiary, who is currently in her final year at the Tarkwa Midwifery School and supported in the medical outreach, expressed appreciation to Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for the support and in fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse. “Without their intervention, I wouldn’t have come this far” she said.
