Hundreds of residents of Subri, one of the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), a mining company, have participated in a comprehensive medical outreach programme organised by the mining company in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Tarkwa, Anaji and Bogoso.
The outreach programme was intended at bridging the healthcare access gaps and raise awareness on critical health issues.
Held in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it featured extensive healthcare services, including breast cancer screenings, diabetes and blood pressure management, NHIS registrations among others.
During the event, Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by residents of Subri in accessing healthcare.
“Access to healthcare is a major challenge,” Razak Yakubu said, adding “It’s not just about having health facilities in place; people often struggle with the resources needed to reach and utilise these facilities.”
He cited the prohibitive costs involved in reaching the nearest National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) office in Tarkwa, approximately GHC100 cedis per person, as a significant barrier for the residents of Subri.
GFGL Executive Secretary revealed that the Foundation had invested over GHC220,000 in the outreach program to bring NHIS registration directly to the door steps of the people of Subri. “Our goal is to eliminate the barrier of travel for registration or renewal by bringing NHIS services to the community,” he explained.
The Foundation covered the premiums for the first 500 registrants and pledged to support NHIS capacity building to reach more remote communities in the future.
Dr Magdalene Bakari, Unit Manager for Health Services at Gold Fields Ghana, led educational sessions on self-breast examinations, emphasising early detection of breast cancer.
“We’re empowering people to take charge of their health,” she noted, encouraging community members to incorporate regular check-ups and self-screenings into their routines.
Dr Bakari also educated participants on managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, underlining the importance of consistent monitoring and proactive healthcare habits.
Spokesperson for NHIS, Ebenezer Atuahene, highlighted the outreach’s impact in reaching children and adults who were previously uninsured or needed renewals.
“Many children here in Subri were not on the scheme and most adults required renewals. Thanks to the foundation’s support, we registered or renewed over 500 people on-site, and we plan to return to capture the rest of the community,” he said.
The event also underscored the Rotary Club’s long-standing commitment to community health. Rotary President of Tarkwa, Nathaniel Northa, “for five years, Rotary Clubs have partnered with the Gold Fields Foundation to bring healthcare to people in need. October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to raise awareness of this and other ailments.”
Northa noted that the outreach effectively has brought “a whole pharmacy and hospital” to Subri, improving the lives of those with limited healthcare access.
Rose Beauty Armoo, Charter President of Rotary Bogoso, further stressed Rotary’s global focus on medical care, particularly regarding breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 31.8% of all female cancers.
“We are committed to promoting good health,” she stated. “When there is life, there is hope, and we want to ensure that people in these communities live healthy lives.”
The outreach event offered a broad range of medical services provided by a team of doctors, lab technicians, a dentist, and an optometrist. Attendees received screenings, consultations, and medications, all aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of Subri’s residents.
This collaborative effort between the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation and Rotary Clubs illustrates the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in healthcare, especially for underserved communities.
