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Inmates of the Obuasi Local Prisons are the latest to benefit from AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine’s “Mini Clinic”, a quarterly health outreach programme organised by the mining firm for host communities.
The Company, which believes that access to quality healthcare is a basic right of all individuals in the country including prisoners, has been deploying a team of health professionals and medical supplies to communities in its operational areas to address the health needs of the people.
The Mini Clinic concept is an integral pillar of AngloGold Ashanti’s 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan, which has an intermediate goal of improving access to quality healthcare and services.
After rotating the programme in various communities over the years, the company found it appropriate to attend to the health needs of inmates of the local prison.
The inmates were screened for various ailments including HIV/ AIDS and are instantly treated by qualified medical professionals from the AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation (AGAHF).
It was fully sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti in partnership with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, Ghana Health Service, Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the Obuasi East District Assembly.
Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, Community Relations Manager, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, said the screening and other health interventions undertaken by the company demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of good health, and ensuring that residents in their host communities enjoyed better and sustainable standards of living.
He said the various sensitisation programme on radio and community information centres during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, was to stress that the health of people in its host communities was a priority for the company.
Mr Okwan John Addae of the AGA Health Foundation, said it was important for regular screening for HIV and other ailments to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
ASP James Ekow Amoah, the Chaplain of the Obuasi Local Prisons, commended AngloGold Ashanti for extending the mini clinic programme to the inmates, pointing out that, access to quality healthcare by the inmates had been a major challenge.
He said they must grapple with inadequate supply of drugs at their infirmary making it difficult for inmates to receive adequate medical care.
He said the importance of such free screening exercise for inmates, also help officers to know their state of health and how to handle them.
Source: By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
