A medical doctor, Dr Natalie Akoto has dedicated her career to preventive medicine with a particular focus on underserved populations.

She graduated from the University of Ghana, William H. Foege Fellow from Emory University—where she earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology—and is a current internal medicine resident.

Throughout her training and practice, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to bridging healthcare access gaps, particularly in preventive care.

Her experience includes her work with Emory University’s Outbreak Response Team, where she actively contributed to COVID-19 and Mpox vaccination outreach initiatives.

The Outbreak Response Team was pivotal in delivering timely public health interventions during the pandemic, focusing on underserved and high-risk communities.

In her role, Dr Akoto collaborated with local health departments to ensure equitable vaccine distribution, provided health education to vulnerable populations and utilised social media to amplify essential healthcare information.

Dr Akoto's research and practical experience are focused on the social determinants of health and health equity, examining how these factors influence outcomes across various health conditions.

While working in Ghana, Dr Akoto led breast cancer and other preventive screenings, providing essential care to women who otherwise might lack access, directly contributing to early detection.

Building on this foundation, she is now launching an initiative to expand breast cancer screening and prevention services in Ghana, starting with a pilot program in Mataheko, Accra.

The project empowers women with knowledge and tools for early detection, combining community education, self-exam guidance, and clinical screenings.

Her program includes sessions on breast cancer risk factors, early treatment options, and the importance of timely health interventions.

The project’s approach draws from her past screening initiatives for hypertension and diabetes, which successfully connected patients in need of further evaluation to local healthcare facilities, fostering sustainable community support networks.

This breast cancer initiative will follow a similar model, ensuring that women requiring further evaluation receive coordinated referrals to trusted providers, thus creating a pathway to timely, appropriate care.

To ensure the program's longevity, Dr Akoto is collaborating with local healthcare workers to extend education and screening efforts beyond the campaign’s initial phase.

She is actively seeking international support for resources, advocacy, and policy backing to bolster Ghana’s capacity for routine breast cancer screening. With the support of local community leaders, the initiative is set to engage and mobilize women, build trust, and extend the program’s reach.

Furthering her commitment to accessible preventive services, Dr Akoto aims to address a critical gap in mammography access in underserved regions of Ghana.

She is outlining plans to acquire mammogram machines for local facilities, to enable compliance with guidelines for regular screenings for women over 40. By coordinating with local healthcare authorities, international partners, and non-profit organizations, she seeks to raise funds and secure equipment donations that will increase the program’s impact, leading to earlier detection and improved survival rates.

Looking ahead, Dr Akoto envisions a future where breast and other cancer screenings are integrated into Ghana’s electronic health records system, especially at polyclinics, making preventive care a routine aspect of every patient encounter.

This integration would broaden early detection efforts on a national scale, strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

With a track record of successful preventive health campaigns, Dr Akoto is well-positioned to make this breast cancer initiative a lasting, transformative component of Ghana’s healthcare system.