More than 300 market women at the Mallam Atta Market in Accra New Town have received free health screening and medical support during a day-long health outreach organised by Social Enterprise Ghana and its partners.
The initiative, which was aimed at improving access to healthcare among hard-to-reach populations, brought together key partners, including New York University (NYU), the University of Ghana School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Divine Group International and Health Factor.
Screening
The women were screened for conditions such as breast cancer, hepatitis B, high blood pressure, malaria and obesity through Body Mass Index (BMI) checks. Participants were guided toward the appropriate medical facilities for follow-up treatment and counselling after their checks.
“These women are constantly on the move, trading and catering for their families.
Most of them do not have time to visit hospitals,” said Edwin Zu-Cudjoe, Executive Director of Social Enterprise Ghana.
“So we are bringing healthcare to their doorstep.
We want to help them catch conditions early and connect them to the right healthcare institutions.
These women work tirelessly and hardly find time to seek medical attention. By bringing healthcare directly to their place of business, we aim to bridge that gap,” he said.
Commitment
The outreach forms part of a broader commitment by the organisers to deliver quarterly health screenings at the Mallam Atta Market, with plans to scale to other markets in the future.
Prof. Robin Toft Klar, Clinical Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, who led a team of NYU nursing students to support the screening, described the initiative as mutually beneficial.
“Our students are here to learn from Ghana’s healthcare environment while also serving the community.
This is our third year in Ghana, and we are proud to be working with strong local partners who share our vision of community-centred care,” she said.
Prof. Klar emphasised that NYU’s global health initiative in Ghana was deeply rooted in long-standing partnerships and aims to support both community-based health interventions and professional capacity building.
“Our goal is not just to bring care but also to deepen our students’ understanding of global health equity, especially for populations like the Ghanaian diaspora back in New York, many of whom come from communities like this,” she added.
On her part, Dr Mariam Idris, representing the University of Ghana School of Nursing and Midwifery, praised the collaboration and the outreach model.
“These community screenings are essential.
They serve as an early intervention strategy for people who would otherwise not prioritise their health.
By making health services accessible, we are empowering women to take control of their wellbeing,” she noted.
