The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) with support from Unilever Ghana has organised a free health outreach programme at Agbogbloshie in Accra, as part of activities of the Society’s 2011 Conference/Annual General Meeting. The Conference/AGM which opens at the National Theatre in Accra on Thursday has the theme ‘Achieving the millennium development goals: the pharmacist in public health. The health outreach at Agbogbloshie began at about 9am on Wednesday and attracted a huge patronage from the public. The clientele screened included a mix of children and adults, comprising ‘kayayei’ (a local term which literally means female head porters), metal scrap dealers, artisans, market men and women, shoppers and many others. The exercise targeted about 2,000 children between the ages of 1 – 12years for deworming while some 3,000 adults were screened for various ailments in what was termed the ‘Lifebuoy Health outreach’. Lifebuoy, a product of Unilever is described as the world’s number one germ protection soap and is said to contain an Active5 Germ Protection Formula. Lifebuoy soap has been proven in laboratories to provide 100% more effective germ protection than ordinary soaps. Some of the services provided to the public at the outreach included BP monitoring, health screening, temperature reading, counseling on malaria prevention and that of HIV/AIDS. There was also counseling on hygiene habits and the management of ailments of common occurrence. The personnel engaged in the screening included pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, hospital pharmacists, student pharmacists, medical officers and nurses. Mr Franklin Acheampong, a pharmacist and the editor of the PSGH newsletter noted “The Society is extremely grateful to Unilever for supporting us to undertake this all important exercise which will go a long way to help members of the public to improve their quality of health”. “I am delighted that so many children have been attended to and will enjoy a better quality of life after being dewormed”. “We will definitely undertake more of such programs in other areas of the country and hope that when the time comes, Unilever and other socially responsible organisations will support our efforts” he added. “Lifebuoy's goal of providing affordable and accessible hygiene and health solutions to enable people lead a life without fear of hygiene anxieties and health consequences is consistent with the values of PSGH hence our collaboration” he emphasised. Mr Daniel Mensah, a pharmacist, asked the public not to abuse drugs through self medication and misapplication, both of which he said could undermine their health. He also entreated the youth to shun alcoholism and substance abuse, which he said could interfere with their quality of life. Unilever Ghana is a leading name in homecare and laundry products and is one of Ghana’s leading corporate citizens. Globally, Lifebuoy is noted as one of the oldest brands and has been the No. 1 selling health soap since 1894 when it first hit the market. It was first launched in the UK, and has travelled across the world reaching Europe, America, Asia and Africa. PSGH is the umbrella professional association of all registered Pharmacists in Ghana. It is a non-governmental organisation with statutory positions on the Pharmacy Council and other organisations relating to pharmacy or medicines. The Society plays advocacy, organisational, educational and control roles locally and internationally.