Hundreds of residents in Nyankamam, a community in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region of Ghana, have benefited from a free medical screening and healthcare outreach. The exercise was organised and funded by Lawyer Francis Yensu Appiah, the Western North Regional Director of the Legal Aid Commission. The outreach aimed to improve access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities.
The medical screening and healthcare outreach targeted children, women, the elderly, and vulnerable residents who often face economic and logistical barriers to accessing health services. A team of medical doctors and healthcare professionals carried out a range of screenings, including blood pressure checks for hypertension, blood glucose testing for diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) assessments. Residents were also tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and screened for Hepatitis B.
The outreach included one-on-one medical advice, free prescription drugs, basic treatments, essential vitamins, and sensitisation sessions on preventive healthcare, proper nutrition, personal hygiene, and lifestyle choices for managing non-communicable diseases. Lawyer Francis Yensu Appiah emphasised the close relationship between human rights, access to justice, and the well-being of citizens. He stated that access to quality healthcare is a basic human right.
Lawyer Francis Yensu Appiah explained that the free medical screening was part of his personal commitment to giving back to communities in the Aowin Municipality and ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent people from receiving proper medical care. He assured residents that the initiative was not a one-off intervention but part of a broader effort to support communities in the Aowin Municipality.
The Chief of Nyankamam, together with community elders and beneficiaries, praised the initiative, describing it as timely, thoughtful, and impactful. They noted that many residents in the area frequently delay routine medical check-ups because of the cost of treatment. The outreach brought much-needed care directly to the doorsteps of the people.
Beneficiaries expressed relief and gratitude for the free consultations, medications, and early diagnosis of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Some said the exercise gave them an opportunity to learn about their health status for the first time, while others welcomed the advice they received on nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Dr Prince Ackah, a medical officer from the Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital who participated in the screening, said the initiative reflected a growing shift towards preventive healthcare in rural communities in the Aowin Municipality. He explained that early detection of illnesses could help reduce complications, improve treatment outcomes, and lessen the financial burden on families.
Key points
- The free medical screening and healthcare outreach was organised and funded by Lawyer Francis Yensu Appiah, the Western North Regional Director of the Legal Aid Commission.
- The outreach targeted children, women, the elderly, and vulnerable residents who often face economic and logistical barriers to accessing health services.
- The initiative included a range of screenings, one-on-one medical advice, free prescription drugs, and sensitisation sessions on preventive healthcare.
