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Keta Municipal hospital organises free cervical cancer screening
The Keta Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region has ended this year’s cervical cancer awareness month of January with free screening exercise.
The screening exercise was also used to educate the public on the causes, preventions, management and the effects of the disease.
Dr Martha Ampadu, a Gynaecologist at the Keta Municipal Hospital, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that cervical cancer was deadly and the public should prioritise their health and get screened against cancer and other diseases.
Cervical cancer always occurs in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus in the female reproductive system which typically develops over time, and it is often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and dangers associated with this disease include death,” she said.
She said that other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing cervical cancer include sexual intercourse at a tender age, having multiple sexual partners, weakened immune system, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise, among others.
Dr Ampadu explained that some common symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding between monthly periods and after sex, pain during sex, unusual vaginal discharge, bad odour, weight loss and fatigue, bleeding after menopause, pelvic pains, loss of appetite and others.
“The only way to detect cervical cancer is through a routine test or screening to check for abdominal cell changes in the cervix and to check for the present of high risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer and that was the aim for our screening for the month.”
She said that some methods of preventing cervical cancer was by through Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which was recommended people between the aged 12 and 26, and regular screening, practicing safe sex and limited number of sexual partners, avoid early sex and smoking, as well as engaging in regular exercise.
Dr Ampadu said that over 200 women were screened for the cervical cancer disease within the month of January, “and from Monday those who will come for the screening will be made to pay for it.”
She appealed to the public to as a matter of urgency prioritise their health and get screened as early as possible for early detection and treatment to prevent any unforeseen circumstances that could lead to death of the victims.
She urged all to visit the hospital with a valid National Health Insurance Card regularly when they suspect any bad feeling within the body for urgent attention and vaccination.
Some beneficiaries GNA interviewed expressed gratitude to the health workers and thanked them for the kind gestures. The theme of this year’s cervical cancer awareness month was, “screen, learn, vaccinate.”
Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodioo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, has assured the Accra Street Academy of his support in achieving its mission of uplifting vulnerable children within the community to break the cycle of poverty. “Without the needed support, your efforts may go round in circles due to the enormity of the task. This should not be left on the shoulders of the Academy alone. You need support from both government and the private sector. With that, the Academy would be in a good position to shape the future of these children on the streets,” he said.
The Accra Street Academy, originally formed in 1985 as a boxing arena, now serves as a school for deprived children, with most of its population numbering hundreds of pupils being neglected children from the streets of Jamestown and its environs. Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie made these remarks at the annual stakeholders’ meeting and fundraising event held over the weekend under the theme “Empowering Street Children: Health and Wellness.” The event is one of the Academy’s annual programmes, organized to raise funds and other forms of support to aid the school in catering to the needs of the children and holding its Christmas get-together.
According to the MP, it is worth noting that these children are taught and provided with two meals and a snack daily through the support of benevolent members of society. In view of this, he promised to facilitate the acquisition of documents needed for the construction of an Astroturf within the school’s premises. He noted that “every child has the right to play, and therefore I pledged to do my best to secure the needed documents” for the project to commence.
The legislator disclosed that over the years, the academic programmes of the Accra Street Academy have transformed children surviving on the streets into successful adults. He therefore urged other members of society to partner with the school to “help pupils rise higher for a better Ghana.” In the 2025/26 academic year, 22 pupils were absorbed by the Accra Metro Education Directorate as they transitioned into various Junior High Schools, while still returning to the Accra Street Academy for academic support.
Ms. Yvonne Abba-Opoku, a chartered governance advisor and senior executive in the nonprofit and charity sector, stated that the best gift to give a child was education.
By Spectator Reporter
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Mrs Regina Kudom, Senior Midwifery Officer at the New Atuabo Health Centre in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, has urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinic regularly for safe delivery.
She revealed that “in Tarkwa and its environs many pregnant women prefer staying at prayer camps, we are not against that, you can be there, but when your time is up for your antenatal session make sure you attend.”
Mrs Kudom gave the advice when the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) observed the World Prematurity Day with pregnant women at New Atuabo, Huniso and Awudua health centres.
World Prematurity Day falls on November 17, every year, and it is celebrated to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pre-term babies and their families.
She said research suggested that sex during pregnancy could soften the cervix and potentially aid in labour preparation.
“That is the reason why we encourage pregnant women to have sex with their partners, if they do not have any health implications,” she added.
Mrs Kudom appealed to the GFGF to upgrade the New Atuabo health centre as the current structure was too small because they received many patients daily.
Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for GFGF, explained that they received donations from Project C. U. R. E and the items were given to health facilities in their operational area.
She stated that they noticed there were baby dresses, sanitary pads, and baby apparel, so they decided to distribute them among expectant mothers in three of their host communities.
Madam Mohammed said because the foundation was interested in preventive care, they brought a midwife from the Tarkwa Mine hospital to educate the pregnant women.
She extolled the midwives in New Atuabo health centre for the education they gave to the pregnant women and implored them to heed to the advice given during antenatal visits to reduce maternal deaths in the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities.
Mr Paa Kwasi Egan, Deputy Chief Physician Assistance, emphasised that a pregnant woman being anemic meant she was not eating a balance diet, and added that, “Some of these women do not have money to buy food or visit antenatal clinics.”
He said when men follow their wives for antenatal visits, they would be educated extensively on why they should provide funds for their pregnant wives.
Mr Egan, therefore, encouraged all men to be involved in their pregnant wives’ antenatal care appointments so they could learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. – GNA
