By Daniel Bampoe
The Prostate Health Foundation Ghana has begun a nationwide health screening programme for inmates and officers of the Ghana Prisons Service, with the initiative aimed at promoting early detection and preventive healthcare within correctional facilities.
The programme started at the Kumasi Central Prison, where 350 people benefited from the first screening exercise.
The beneficiaries comprised 300 male inmates and 50 prison officers, including both male and female officers.
A six-member medical team conducted the exercise, comprising two doctors, a sonographer, three nurses and a laboratory technician.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Prostate Health Foundation Ghana, Rebecca Nana Yaa Konadu, said participants underwent prostate scans and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, alongside a range of general health examinations.
“We did a scan, that is prostate scan, and then we did PSA test. Among other tests, we did hepatitis B, typhoid fever, malaria and fasting blood sugar,” she explained.
According to Ms Konadu, prostate screening is particularly important for inmates because some may spend several years in prison without regular access to specialised screening.
She said early detection was necessary to ensure that prostate-related conditions are identified and managed before they become serious.
The Foundation said the exercise identified some inmates with minor indications of prostate-related conditions, and those affected have been referred for further tests and medical assessment.
The screening team also recorded cases of elevated blood pressure among some prison officers, although the Foundation said not all the readings were significantly high.
The observation, according to the organisation, highlights the importance of regular blood-pressure checks, particularly among people working in demanding environments.
Other health concerns were also identified among some inmates, reinforcing the need for sustained access to healthcare services in correctional institutions.
Beyond the medical examinations, participants received health education on preventive healthcare, regular medical check-ups and the importance of early detection of diseases.
The Foundation said the prison screening forms part of its broader plan to take prostate health education and screening services to communities and institutions across Ghana.
The programme will pay particular attention to men aged 40 years and above, who may have limited access to regular prostate screening.
The organisation noted that prostate cancer remains a major global health concern and is among the cancers commonly affecting men.
The Prostate Health Foundation Ghana said it believes early detection can improve health outcomes and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding prostate screening and health education across the country.
The Foundation expressed appreciation to the Ghana Prisons Service and management of the Kumasi Central Prison for their support and cooperation in making the exercise possible.
The team involved in the initiative included Chairman of the Foundation, Clement Wilkinson; Project Manager, Nicholas Tawiah; and Executive Member, Nana Oduro.
The Foundation said the nationwide programme will continue with further screening activities targeting communities and institutions across Ghana.
