Over 100 women and children were targeted for the screening exercise, focusing on the early detection of health conditions such as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), hepatitis B, malaria, blood pressure monitoring, and relevant basic health checks.  

The exercise was part of a project being implemented through WOM’s subsidiary, ORL and Hearing Care Africa, in collaboration with the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), to support widows and young women to improve their mental and physical health.  

It is being funded by the KGL Foundation.

 Ms Elizabeth Anafo, the Head of Programmes at WOM, said the initiative was designed to address the health needs of women who often delayed seeking medical care until their conditions became severe and impeded their productivity and quality of life.  

“We know widows go through a lot of challenges, including emotional, psychological, and financial. These struggles sometimes lead to stress and mental health problems.

With this project, we are creating opportunities for early detection of illnesses and encouraging preventive health practices,” she stated.  

She said all consultations and basic treatments such as ear wax removal were provided at no cost, while patients requiring further care were referred to hospitals.  

“One of the main challenges is that most women cannot afford medications even when diagnosed. This is why we are calling on other donor organisations to support us so that those diagnosed with illnesses requiring referrals can receive the treatment they need,” she said.  

Dr Eunice Rabiatu Abdulai, the Head of the ENT Unit at the Institutional Care Division of the GHS Headquarters, Accra, who led the medical team, stressed the importance of outreach services in underserved areas, particularly given the shortage of ENT specialists in the country.  

“Ghana has only six ENT surgeons, mostly based in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Many areas, including parts of the Upper East, do not have ENT surgeons at all. This partnership allows us to bring the service to people’s doorsteps,” she said.  

Dr Abdulai described ENT care as a “neglected area” and appealed to sponsors and NGOs to support the expansion of similar outreach programmes to more communities.

Madam Esther Amare, a beneficiary of the free health screening who was diagnosed with a throat infection, expressed gratitude to the organisers for the kind gesture.  

“I am grateful and wish that this initiative continues, even if not here, then elsewhere to help people like me,” she stated.  

Madam Dorrah Atinga, a 41-year-old beneficiary of the free health screening, said she had never in her life visited a hospital for any screening and commended WOM and its partners for the initiative.  

The free health screening was the third of its kind in the region by WOM and its partners.