A recent health outreach program in the Upper East Region's Nabdam District has revealed a significant need for eye care services. The six-day initiative, which took place from August 31 to September 5, screened 1,447 residents across five communities for eye conditions. The exercise, dubbed the "Nabdam Health Summit 2026," was funded by Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, the Member of Parliament for Nabdam, and the Haven of Love Children's Foundation.
The screening found that 199 people required cataract surgery, a number that surprised even the health workers involved in the program. Many of those who need surgery were unaware they had the condition. The outreach program also provided general medical consultations, blood pressure checks, and diabetes screenings. A total of 1,504 people had their blood pressure checked, and 985 received general medical consultations.
The diabetes screening, which tested 628 people, revealed that 591 had normal blood-sugar levels, while the remainder fell into pre-diabetic or diabetic ranges. Beneficiaries who needed further testing or referral were directed to appropriate facilities. The summit also offered free National Health Insurance Scheme registration and renewal, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare services.
The team of eye-care professionals involved in the program identified limited public awareness of eye conditions, delayed treatment-seeking, and inadequate access to eye-care personnel at the health centre level as significant gaps in primary eye care. They encountered children with neglected conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis, uncorrected refractive errors, and suspected early cataracts.
Some parents attributed the symptoms to spiritual causes or believed they would resolve naturally. This highlights the need for public education on eye health and the importance of seeking medical attention promptly. The program also underscored the demand for accessible, community-based healthcare services, with many residents lining up for the free screening and consultations.
The Haven of Love Children's Foundation, which partnered with Dr. Nawaane to fund the initiative, emphasized that the exercise was designed to identify people with health conditions and connect them to care. The Foundation's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Nana-Bekai Djirackor, noted that the turnout across the five centres showed the demand for accessible healthcare services.
The findings of the health outreach program echo concerns raised in other parts of Ghana about stretched rural health infrastructure. The program highlights the need for more Public Health Nurses to be deployed to underserved communities to support early detection and health education.
Key points
- 199 residents need cataract surgery after a free health screening in Nabdam District.
- The screening program highlighted gaps in primary eye care and preventive health services in rural Ghana.
- The initiative was funded by Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane and the Haven of Love Children's Foundation.
