The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to preventive healthcare by bringing free medical services to the doorstep of residents of Awudua and surrounding communities through its Quarter Three (Q3) Health Engagement Access Link (HEAL) Programme.
Held at the Awudua Community Centre on Saturday, July 25, 2026, to commemorate World Hepatitis Day under the theme, “Elimination for Everyone, Everywhere, Right Now!”, the outreach, undertaken at a total cost of GH¢452,231, offered a comprehensive range of medical screening, diagnostic and treatment services aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of diseases.
The exercise forms part of the Foundation’s quarterly health intervention, which has become a key pillar of healthcare delivery in its host communities by reducing barriers to quality medical care and encouraging residents to undergo regular health screening.
Beneficiaries received free general medical consultation and counselling, as well as screening for Hepatitis B, HIV, tuberculosis, typhoid, haemoglobin levels, blood glucose, blood pressure and malaria. The programme also provided vision screening and eye care services, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultations, dental screening, spirometry, X-ray examinations, ultrasound scans, and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration, renewal and card replacement services.
Statistics from the outreach showed that 180 people underwent Hepatitis B screening, while 121 residents voluntarily tested for HIV. Tuberculosis screening was conducted for 46 beneficiaries.
Additionally, 98 people benefited from eye care services, 70 received specialist ENT consultations and 50 accessed dental screening and treatment. A total of 265 residents also registered, renewed or replaced their NHIS cards, enabling them to continue accessing healthcare beyond the outreach.
Health experts say regular screening for conditions such as hepatitis, HIV, hypertension and diabetes is essential because many of these illnesses remain symptomless in their early stages. Detecting them early significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces complications.
A major highlight of this year’s programme was the collaboration with Diagnostic Centre Limited, which fully sponsored all laboratory and diagnostic investigations. These included Hepatitis B and HIV testing, haemoglobin and blood glucose analysis, typhoid testing, X-ray examinations, ultrasound scans and spirometry, making specialised diagnostic services available to community members free of charge.
The Foundation also partnered with Unilever Ghana, which donated a variety of hygiene and personal care products, including Pepsodent toothpaste, bathing soap, laundry soap and other household hygiene items for distribution to beneficiaries.
The donation complemented public health education delivered during the exercise by encouraging good oral hygiene, personal cleanliness and healthy sanitation practices as effective measures for preventing diseases.
Speaking during the programme, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, said the Foundation remains committed to ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to people in its host communities. “We bring the hospital to the doorstep of the community folks. That’s our focus—preventive healthcare,” he stated.
He noted that the quarterly HEAL Programme reflects the Foundation’s belief that early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life of residents.
The successful outreach once again demonstrated how strategic partnerships between corporate institutions and healthcare providers can strengthen community health systems by expanding access to essential medical services and encouraging a culture of preventive healthcare.
For many residents of Awudua and neighbouring communities, the programme provided an opportunity to access specialised healthcare services that would otherwise have been difficult or expensive to obtain, reinforcing the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s role in supporting sustainable community development through improved healthcare.
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