More than 200 residents of Techiman have benefited from a free health screening exercise organised by the KGL Foundation as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The outreach, organised in collaboration with Koranteng Memorial Clinic and AgricoHub, offered screening for breast cancer, blood pressure, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and eye conditions, among other services.
Organisers said the initiative was intended to promote early detection and preventive healthcare while making screening services more accessible to residents.
Programmes Manager of the KGL Foundation, Nii Ankonu Annorbah-Sarpei, said the exercise went beyond breast cancer screening to give participants an opportunity to 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,” he said.
He said the initiative targeted the general public, particularly young people and women, while encouraging both men and women to take breast health seriously.
Chief Executive Officer of Koranteng Memorial Clinic, Elizabeth Korsah Koranteng, stressed the importance of early screening for timely diagnosis and treatment.
“Breast cancer can financially derail you, so it’s important to screen for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment,” she said.
She also cautioned against misconceptions about breast cancer, including the belief that the disease was a curse, and urged the public to seek accurate health information and medical attention early.
Health and economic productivity
Chief Executive Officer of AgricoHub, George Antwi Boasiako, said the partnership was also intended to highlight the connection between good health and economic productivity.
“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 said.
“The idea is that you should be healthy and able to run your business.”
A student who participated in a health screening exercise for the first time said regular checks were important, particularly for students who spend several months in school before returning home.
“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,” the participant said.
The student urged others to take advantage of screening opportunities, noting that some illnesses could go undetected without medical tests.
“Some illnesses cannot be detected with our physical eyes. It will require medical screening, so I encourage every student to participate in health screening,” the participant said.
The outreach also included a blood donation exercise to help replenish supplies for patients requiring blood transfusions.