Gold Fields community medical outreach programme serves more people in New Atuabo 

Erica Apeatua Addo

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s (GFGF’s) quarter four breast cancer and community medical outreach programme, has served almost 630 residents of New Atuabo and its surrounding communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.  

The event, held in collaboration with Telecel Ghana, Unilever Ghana and the Rotary Club of Tarkwa, was under the Pinktober 2025 theme: “Support, Screen, and Survive”. 

Beyond cancer screening, the attendees received some essential health services including blood sugar and pressure checks, BMI assessment, malaria testing, dental and eye examinations as well as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultations.  

They also had access to free medications, while those identified with some form of challenges were referred to the hospital for further diagnosis and care.  

Dr Magdalene Bakari, Lead Specialist of Health Services Gold Fields Ghana, said the outreach formed part of the Foundation’s Group Legacy Programme (GLP), which prioritized health awareness campaigns and access to quality healthcare as a cornerstone of sustainable community development. 

She said it also reaffirmed Gold Fields alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3-Good Health and Well-being, SDG 17-Partnerships for the Goals.) 

Dr Bakari emphasised that in commemoration of Pinktober, the outreach placed strong emphasis on breast cancer education and screening.  

Over the past year, a total of 283 women had been screened for breast cancer during the various community outreaches, with 49 referred for further assessment and care, she added. 

The Lead Specialist said about 60 per cent of the health practitioners at the outreach were current and former beneficiaries of the Foundations scholarship programme, reflecting its long-term investment in local health capacity building.  

In addition, Dr Bakari noted that the remaining team of qualified professionals were drawn from the Tarkwa Mine Hospital (Euracare), as well as the Prestea Huni-Valley and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Health Directorates, who led the medical operations.  

She emphasized that the outreach had once again demonstrated the Foundation’s unwavering dedication to community well-being, preventive healthcare, and sustainable development 

Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for GFGF, for her part, indicated that during the Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration exercise, Telecel Ghana sponsored 500 NHIS registration and provided medical equipment for ultrasound scanning. 

She revealed that in total, 741 community members were registered or had their NHIS cards renewed to ensure sustained access to healthcare beyond the event.  

According to her, Unilever Ghana supported with the donation of toothpaste and hygiene supplies, which were distributed to all participants.  

To date, the GFGF has invested over US$4.9 million in health and wellness initiatives, continuing its mission to enhance the quality of life in its host communities.  

Rotarian Nana Yaa Pokua Siriboe, District Governor of Rotary International District 9104, said the number of women participating in the breast screening exercise was impressive and it showed the programme was making a significant impact.  

She advised women that “the month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, but whenever you visit the hospital throughout the year, don’t forget to get a mammogram done.  

GNA 

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