A comprehensive health screening exercise has been organised by the Asante Akim Central Municipal Assembly for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases among vulnerable groups.
The initiative, financed through the Assembly’s Disability Fund, offered screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, Hepatitis B, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Beneficiaries who tested negative for Hepatitis B also received free vaccination.
Officials say the programme was developed in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorate after health data indicated a relatively high incidence of cervical cancer among women in the municipality.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during the exercise, the Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Mr Eric Owusu Boadi, explained that although health screenings are not explicitly listed under standard disability fund activities, the intervention aligns with the broader goal of improving the wellbeing of PWDs.
He noted that persons with disabilities often face barriers to accessing healthcare services, leading many to delay or avoid seeking medical attention even when unwell.
According to him, the Assembly initially targeted 100 beneficiaries, but turnout exceeded expectations, reflecting strong demand for healthcare support within the disability community.
Mr Boadi assured that individuals diagnosed with any conditions during the screening would receive support to access treatment, emphasizing that early detection without treatment would be counterproductive.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Ebenezer Ekow Aidoo, who engaged beneficiaries during the exercise, stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups and early diagnosis in improving health outcomes for persons with disabilities.
He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to balancing economic empowerment initiatives with improved healthcare delivery for vulnerable groups, while commending the collaboration between health and social welfare institutions.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention and called for the programme to be sustained and expanded to reach more people in need.
