By Ewoenam Kpodo
Ho, May 20, GNA – A family physician has urged the government to include routine geriatric screenings in Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare policy, saying early detection of age-related conditions would improve health outcomes for the growing elderly population.
Prof Akye Essuman, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), and Head of the Family Health Centre at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), made the appeal during a World Family Doctor Day event in Ho jointly organised by HTH and UHAS.
The event featured free health screening exercises designed to demonstrate how periodic health assessments can detect disease risks early across all age groups. Five health stations were set up, each focusing on a specific age category with tailored screenings aimed at preventing illnesses before they develop.
Ghana’s recently launched Free Primary Healthcare policy seeks to shift the country’s healthcare system from treatment to prevention. It currently covers essential treatments, routine screening for non-communicable diseases, maternal and child healthcare services, and basic emergency care at CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics at no cost.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Prof Essuman noted that although the policy includes screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and mental health conditions, it lacks targeted checks for age-related illnesses.
He explained that simple assessments for dementia, incontinence, fall risk, walking speed, and memory loss could easily be integrated into primary healthcare services.
According to him, such screenings would help identify health challenges early, reduce hospital admissions, and help older adults maintain their independence.
He stressed that Ghana’s ageing population meant geriatric care could no longer be treated as an afterthought.
Prof Essuman said incorporating geriatric assessments into the free healthcare package would align with the preventive focus of the policy while ensuring that no age group was neglected. He added that the move would also ease pressure on referral hospitals by strengthening preventive healthcare at the primary level.
He further advocated periodic health assessments for all age groups from age 18, praising school health programmes for supporting preventive healthcare among children.
He also encouraged physical activity among the elderly, saying, “appropriate exercise such as walking and house chores is crucial to prevent falls and maintain cognitive function.”
Dr Agbeshie D.J. Kulevome, a family doctor at HTH, also underscored the importance of geriatric screening, noting that many families often mistake early signs of cognitive decline or mobility challenges for normal ageing or spiritual conditions, delaying medical intervention.
He explained that family physicians serve as primary healthcare specialists who manage patients of all ages, sexes, and conditions, unlike specialists who focus on specific diseases or age groups.
“We are the first point of call when anyone is sick. Our job is to manage most cases at the primary level, prevent complications, and refer only when specialist care is needed,” he said.
Madam Patience Adzibo, an elderly participant, expressed gratitude to the organisers for the free screening exercise, during which her cognitive function, fall risk, walking speed, hand grip strength, and memory were assessed through simple tests.
World Family Doctor Day is observed annually on May 19 to recognise the critical role family physicians play in delivering accessible, personalised, and continuous primary healthcare worldwide.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Ewoenam Kpodo, GNA
[email protected]