The Rotary Club of Obuasi has partnered with Doctors & Engineers Without Borders and the Brown University Club to embark on a medical outreach project for inmates of the Obuasi local prisons.

They also presented drugs to the inmates and a tabletop fridge to store the drugs at an optimal temperature.

The goal of the project is to conduct medical screenings for the inmates, create awareness of prison hygiene, and supply the infirmary with drugs in line with Rotary International’s area of focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment and Sanitation.

The exercise brought together doctors and other health practitioners who screened over 300 inmates and officers of the Obuasi local prisons.

The inmates were screened for hypertension, tuberculosis, diabetes, malaria, hepatitis B, and other ailments. Doctors were on hand to consult and dispense medications for common ailments while provisions were made for those who would need prolonged treatment.

The President-elect of the Rotary Club of Obuasi, Delphine Gbogblorvor, during her interaction with the media, stated that the exercise had become necessary because the club had recognized prison health as an area needing support owing to the poor living conditions in the prisons. The inmates were at risk of contracting and spreading various ailments if the needed support and logistics were not available.

She emphasized the need to prioritize the health needs of inmates at the prisons since they are being prepared to be integrated into the larger society.

"We need to recognize that these inmates are not outcasts, they will definitely be integrated into the society at a point so health screenings like this are important in making sure they are in good conditions before they come out," she stressed.

Miss Gborgblovor further assured the prison of the Club’s continued support towards improving the living conditions of inmates as the 3- year partnership which started in 2023 is expected to be rolled out in the next 2 years with support from the Doctors and Engineers Without Borders, Brown University.

To additionally support the water and sanitation needs of the inmates, new mechanised boreholes have been constructed for the inmates to ensure a continuous supply of clean water for drinking and domestic use.

Way forward

The President-elect of the Rotary Club of Obuasi briefed the media on programmes lineup for the year. She said the club will continue to create hope in the world by implementing the 'magic of rotary' initiative where some of the activities will be based on promoting peace ahead of the 2024 elections.

As part of the Clubs’ support for Basic Education and Literacy, two STEM projects in Obuasi and Akrofuom to encourage the learning of STEM courses are being finalized within the next month.

On behalf of the Ghana Prisons Service and the inmates, the Officer in-charge of the Obuasi local Prisons, CSP Esther Ako- Nunoo expressed her appreciation to the Doctors and Engineers Without Borders, Brown University Club, Rotary/Rotaract Clubs of Obuasi, and Ghana Health Service for their timely support.

She called for more support towards improving the conditions at the prisons and also charged the officers to continue the discharge of their duties as mandated by their ethics to support the prison service.