The First Lady and President of the Lordina Foundation, Lordina Dramani Mahama, says the health and well-being of all Ghanaians, especially young people, women and vulnerable groups, is very dear to her heart.

She said every nation needs young and healthy people to drive the developmental agenda and it was, therefore, important to ensure that people take good care of their health.

Opening the First Lady’s Community Medical Outreach programme in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) at Accra recently, Mrs Mahama said the aim was to raise awareness, offer free checkups and provide medical advice and counselling to help more people take care of their health and wellbeing.

Services provided included HIV testing, Syphilis and TB screening, malaria testing, blood sugar monitoring, BMI and nutrition counselling, breast examination, blood pressure and eye, ear, nose and throat (ENT) screening, among others.

More than 1,500 people, including market women, men, kayayei, shoppers and traders, took part in the programme.

Medical conditions

The First Lady said many people going about their duties have one medical condition or another and do not even know they carry such diseases or ailments, and that was why the health screening was highly important as it would provide everyone with the opportunity to get tested free of charge, learn more about their health and take the necessary steps to maintain their health.

She said early testing saved lives and that knowing your health status enabled one to start treatment early and prevent serious complications to help protect lives.

“I want to address the young people here directly.

You are the future of this country.

Your energy, your dreams and your overall wellbeing matter.

However, many young people today are falling ill due to a lack of access to the right information, services or support they need.

This must change and the time is now,” she said.

According to the First Lady, “together, we can create a Ghana where every person knows their health status, where every pregnant woman gets the best care and where every child is born healthy and free of infection”.

The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, who chaired the function, said medical checkups were very important, which was why everyone was grateful to the First Lady for the noble initiative of bringing free health screening right to the doorstep of the people.

For his part, the Accra Methropolitan Cheif Executive,  Michael Kpakpo Allotey, encouraged the people to take full advantage of the programme, which aligns with the assembly’s broader goal of promoting public health and improving the well-being of people living in Accra and its environs.

He said the outreach is part of the First Lady’s commitment to extending essential health care services to women, young people and vulnerable groups who often face challenges accessing quality medical care.