A 35-day free medical outreach fully funded by Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Member of Parliament for Asawase and Interior Minister of the Republic of Ghana, has delivered life-changing healthcare to more than 9,000 residents across eight constituencies in the Ashanti Region.

The exercise, which covered Kwabre East, Tafo, Suame, Asawase, Manhyia North, Manhyia South, Oforikrom, and Subin constituencies, provided more than 30 electoral areas with essential medical services and health education.

A total of 13,019 National Health Insurance renewals were completed during the initiative, easing financial barriers and ensuring continued access to healthcare for thousands of families.

Eye-care services formed a major part of the outreach, with 6,656 people receiving detailed examinations.

Medical teams recorded 1,820 refractions, 631 cataract cases, and 308 glaucoma cases. Officials confirmed that 112 patients have already undergone successful cataract surgeries, while more than 600 beneficiaries are currently receiving free medicated spectacles.

In the area of women’s health, 2,344 women were screened for breast cancer, 117 beneficiaries underwent mammograms, and 2,211 patients received free medication for various conditions.

The outreach also delivered 2,731 additional medical services, ranging from laboratory tests to blood pressure checks and general consultations.

A total of 36 medical personnel worked 35 days nonstop, offering what residents described as “unprecedented access to healthcare at zero cost.”

Project Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Kamil Mohammed, said the intervention provided enormous financial relief to families.

“If you have a National Health Insurance card, you would pay 1,500 cedis and then the insurance would pay another 1,500 cedis for you. But if you don’t have, MP pays 3,000 cedis on your behalf,” he stated.

He said the cases are scary, especially BP cases at Tafo, and general cases of glaucoma and cataract are overwhelming.

“It is really concerning, especially when we went to Tafo. The cases of people with BP were out of the blue for us, and we plan to write a report to send to the municipal health directorate to let them be aware of what is happening. The general cases of glaucoma and cataract are overwhelming, and these are illnesses that require simple medication – simple intervention, and the person can see,” he indicated.

Interior Minister and MP, Alhaji M.M. Muntaka, said the programme reflects his commitment to ensuring that health services reach even the most vulnerable communities.

“Good health is not for the privileged few. My fulfillment comes from seeing everyone cared for without fear of cost,” he said.

Several patients expressed deep appreciation for the intervention.

A cataract survivor said, “This surgery has given me back my sight and my dignity.”

A beneficiary added, “The early breast screening saved my life. Without this team, I would never have noticed the danger.”

This year’s multi-constituency outreach marks a significant expansion from the 2024 exercise, which served only the Asawase constituency.

Last year’s event registered 3,146 residents, examined 2,375 eyes, conducted 863 refractions, detected 184 cataract and 124 glaucoma cases, dispensed 311 reading glasses, screened 771 women for breast cancer, assisted 58 mammograms, and delivered 1,321 medications alongside 835 additional services.

Community leaders describe the 2025 programme as “the largest free medical mission ever undertaken in the area since it started 20 years ago,” noting that it has strengthened health awareness and restored hope across all participating constituencies.

Alhaji Muntaka says the initiative will continue in the coming years to ensure that “no one is left behind in the journey to good health.”

He says he can't continue embarking on the screening if constituents give him the opportunity for the next 20 years.

“We're thinking of moving it further to create a foundation where we'll be able to sustain it beyond me being the Member of Parliament,” he said.