|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Seek to Save Foundation, a non- government organisation operating in Keta Municipal jointly with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Keta municipality, have organised a community-wide health screening for residents of Vodza, a fishing community in the Volta Region.
The exercise, which took place on May 11, 2025, formed part of an ongoing initiative under the “Other Vulnerable Populations” (OVP) project to address health challenges in fishing and mining communities.
The primary objective of the screening was to reduce stigma associated Human Immunodeficiency Virus /Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Tuberculosis (TB) by offering free testing and sensitisation of vulnerable groups, especially fisherfolk.
The programme attracted about 200 residents, who were screened for various conditions, including HIV, TB, and general health concerns such as blood pressure and glucose levels.
Health professionals from the Keta Municipal Health Directorate and the Kedzi Health Centre were present to carry out the screening and provide counselling.
Sputum samples were collected from participants for TB diagnosis, with onward referrals to the nearest health centres for further treatment and follow-up care
Madam Enyam Commend Akpeloo, Project Director of Seek to Save Foundation, shared with Ghana News Agency the importance of the initiative in breaking the cycle of stigma and encouraging early detection.
“Through this outreach, we are not only identifying health issues but also educating the community to embrace those living with HIV and TB. Stigma remains one of our biggest barriers, and we are committed to changing that.”
In addition to screening activities, participants were engaged in educational sessions designed to demystify the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS and TB and to promote acceptance and timely medical intervention.
Prior to the Vodza outreach, similar screenings and advocacy workshops were held at Anlo Afiadenyigba, Keta Market and Adzido, all under the same OVP project.
Madam Cynthia Delali, one of the health officers, also encouraged the public to embrace the idea of having a personal HIV/AIDS test
“Having HIV test should not be a burden to anyone, now you can take the test kits and go have your personal test at home and no one will have aces to your results, everyone should begin to have free HIV testing not to only reduce infection rate but to reduce the level of stigma it comes with,” Madam Cynthia said.
The OVP project is supported by the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) and Stop TB Partnership Ghana, both of which are committed to improving healthcare outcomes among marginalised populations.
The organisers have indicated plans to replicate the exercise in other coastal communities across the Municipal in the Volta Region in the coming months.
Participants have expressed their satisfaction with the exercise saying the education they received will help them have periodic tests and continue to educate others to embrace the free HIV and TB screenings for a safer community.
Source: GNA
