By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, July 5, GNA – The First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) Friday held a free health screening for Accra residents to promote preventive healthcare.
The event, held at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, aimed to increase HIV testing, offer medical counselling, and encourage early detection of various health conditions.
Over 1,500 people—including women, girls, men, kayayei, traders, and shoppers—were screened for HIV, malaria, syphilis, hypertension, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, diabetes, breast cancer, and eye conditions.
In addition to medical testing, beneficiaries received free counselling on contraceptive and condom use, blood sugar monitoring, and breast examinations for women.
Mrs. Mahama said the outreach formed part of her commitment to raising public awareness about prioritising personal health.
“Sometimes we or even our relatives and friends may be living with a health condition which we may not be aware of…that is why today’s health screening is important,” she said.
She stressed the importance of early diagnosis, noting, “Knowing your health status enables you to start treatment early and prevents serious health complications.”
The First Lady encouraged the youth to speak up about health challenges and seek help from appropriate health institutions and professionals.
“You are the future of this country, your dream, energy and your wellbeing matter and you must endeavour to stay healthy by having health check-ups at least once a year,” she said.
Mrs. Mahama announced that the President was preparing to roll out a primary healthcare programme aimed at enhancing disease prevention by enabling citizens to monitor their health status routinely.
Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Director General of the GAC, described the screening as the launch of the First Lady’s national free health outreach initiative, which targets women, girls, and vulnerable groups.
He said quarterly screenings would be held in the Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, and Savannah regions to enhance access to basic healthcare.
The event also enabled the GAC and its partners to distribute condoms and HIV self-test kits to promote voluntary testing, especially among the youth.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey