Rotary health screening uncovers undiagnosed conditions among Small London residents

A free health screening exercise organised by the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City has uncovered previously undiagnosed health conditions among residents of Small London, a fishing community in the Akwamu Adome area of the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region.

The screening of over 300 residents, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, was organised to bring basic healthcare services closer to residents of the community, located near the Adomi Bridge along the Volta River.

The exercise identified cases including high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose levels, ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions and dental problems.

President of the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City, Rotarian Isabella Edith Akotuah, said Small London was selected after the club identified the community as one where residents could benefit from improved access to preventive healthcare.

She said a community assessment also showed that some residents delayed seeking medical attention because of financial difficulties, often visiting health facilities only after their conditions had become serious.

According to her, the discovery of a resident with a blood pressure reading above 180 demonstrated the importance of taking screening services directly to communities.

She said the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City would provide the necessary contacts and work with health personnel to follow up on cases requiring further attention.

The medical team, drawn from the VRA Hospital, Ghana Health Service (GHS) Asuogyaman and Narh-Bita Hospital, screened residents for vital signs, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and body mass index (BMI).

The team also provided basic health education, medication and screening for eye, dental and ENT conditions.

Team lead for the medical team, Rotarian Evelyn Ayensu Nyarko-Glover, said the exercise was intended to give residents access to basic medical assessments without requiring them to travel outside the community.

She said the team also provided nutrition and mental health education, while residents requiring further medical assessment were referred to appropriate health facilities.

Focus on river-related health concerns

The location of Small London as a fishing community along the Volta River also influenced the design of the intervention.

Rotarian Akotuah said the club had engaged health authorities and identified concerns about schistosomiasis, particularly in communities along the river where residents frequently come into contact with the water.

The exercise therefore included deworming as part of the preventive health measures.

She said the intervention was aimed not only at identifying existing illnesses but also at educating residents about preventive healthcare and the importance of seeking professional medical attention early.

According to her, some residents often resorted to herbal or home remedies before visiting health facilities, which could delay appropriate treatment.

She said the club wanted to help residents recognise symptoms early and seek medical attention before their conditions deteriorated, in line with Rotary's focus on disease prevention.

Rotary calls for regular medical checks

Rotarian Akotuah urged residents to make regular medical examinations part of their routine instead of waiting until they became seriously ill before seeking medical attention.

She said early detection could help people manage health conditions before they became more complicated and financially burdensome.

“Every Ghanaian should take their health seriously. We should make sure we engage in healthy lifestyles, do our medical check-ups regularly and follow up on the medicine,” she said.

She also advised people who experience problems with prescribed medication to return to their health facilities for professional review rather than discontinuing treatment on their own.

The exercise also included a blood donation drive, while residents received mosquito nets. Support was additionally provided for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration and renewal.

Rotary mobilises clubs for community intervention

The initiative brought together about 17 Rotary clubs in District 9104, two Rotaract clubs and four Interact clubs.

District Governor of Rotary International District 9104, Rotarian Jack Andrews Dotsey, PhD, said the intervention reflected Rotary's commitment to community service and disease prevention.

He said access to healthcare should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of government, stressing the importance of partnerships between public institutions, civil society organisations and community-based initiatives.

He commended the Rotarians, medical personnel, volunteers and sponsors who contributed their time and resources to the exercise.

According to the District Governor, healthy communities were essential to sustainable development because people in good health were better positioned to work, support their families and contribute to the development of their communities.

The organisers said they would continue engaging health personnel to follow up on residents who require further assessment and treatment.

The exercise was the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City's fourth major annual health screening initiative.

The club began the programme in 2023 at Abume, followed by Tortibo in 2024, Yonguase in 2025 and Small London in 2026.

The exercise was supported by health authorities, private organisations and sponsors, including The Royal Senchi, Volta Hotel, Threshold Africa Logistics, Kaysens, Afrikiko Resort, Kellogg's and Kings Labor Solutions.