For students who spend more than three months in school before returning home for vacation, staying healthy is not just a personal concern; it is essential to their education.
That was the motivation behind an 18-year-old student, Thomas, for participating in a health screening exercise organised by the KGL Foundation in Techiman, where over 200 people, including young people, men and women, benefited from screening services aimed at promoting early detection and preventive healthcare.
“This is my first time participating in health screening because we will spend more than three months in school before vacation. We need to be healthy to study in school,” Thomas said.
He expressed hope that the exercise would not uncover an illness that could become a hindrance to their education, while urging fellow students to take regular health checks seriously.
“Some illnesses cannot be detected with our physical eyes. It will require medical screening, so I encourage every student to participate in health screening,” he added.
The health screening, organised during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, offered breast cancer screening alongside checks for blood pressure, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and eye conditions, among other services.
The outreach was organised by KGL Foundation in collaboration with Koranteng Memorial Clinic and AgricoHub.
The initiative sought to encourage early detection of potential health problems while bringing essential screening services closer to residents.
Beyond breast cancer awareness
Programs Manager of KGL Foundation, Mr. Nii Ankonu Annorbah-Sarpei, said the exercise was designed to promote breast cancer awareness while helping participants assess their general health.
“We’re not just covering breast screening; we’re also checking people’s general well-being, specifically ear screening, eye testing, and blood pressure,” Mr. Annorbah-Sarpei said.
Mr. Annorbah-Sarpei added that the target audience included the general population, particularly young people and women, while encouraging both men and women to participate in breast screening.
Health professionals say such initiatives can help address misconceptions about breast cancer and encourage people to seek medical attention before conditions become more difficult and expensive to manage.
Madam Elizabeth Korsah Koranteng, CEO of Koranteng Memorial Clinic, one of the Foundation’s partners for the exercise, stressed that early screening could support timely diagnosis and treatment.
“Breast cancer can financially derail you, so it’s important to screen for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.”
She also challenged misconceptions that breast cancer is a curse, emphasising the importance of accurate health information and early medical assessment.
Connecting health to livelihoods and education
For AgricoHub, the collaboration reflects the relationship between personal wellbeing and economic productivity.
CEO of AgricoHub, Mr. George Antwi Boasiako, said business owners must pay attention to their health as they pursue growth.
“We believe that while you focus on your business and business growth, it is important to look at your health and wellbeing, which is why we are collaborating with KGL Foundation for the health outreach,” he disclosed.
“The idea is that you should be healthy and able to run your business,” Mr. Antwi Boasiako added.
One participant in the exercise said regular screening was already part of her personal healthcare routine.
“My health is my priority, so I need to screen all the time.” She reiterated that she regularly visits the hospital for checks involving HIV, breast cancer, HPV and hepatitis B.
Blood donation exercise
Alongside the screening services, the outreach included a blood donation exercise, with a medical expert describing voluntary blood donation as an important contribution to lifesaving medical care, noting that anyone could eventually need a transfusion, either personally or through a friend or family member.
“Blood donation is very important because you, yourself, a friend, or a family member may need it.”
She added that donated blood could help save lives when patients require transfusions.