Improved Health Outcomes for Fiaseman SHS Through Screening Initiative

The initiative, which screened 305 students, marks a significant milestone in the school’s health interventions, offering medical checks, treatment, and education on key health issues. Students were examined for conditions including malaria and hepatitis B, had their weight checked, and received medications as needed. In addition to the screenings, students benefited from health education sessions on proper nutrition, exercise, and overall personal hygiene.Headmaster of Fiaseman SHS, Mr. John Kofi Sagoe, expressed profound gratitude to the organizers and highlighted the critical role of health in academic achievement. “We all know that health is important. If you don’t have good health, you can’t do anything. For both students and staff, good health is essential to ensure effective teaching and learning,” he said. “This screening will help us through the early detection of ailments, which can then be properly managed. Some conditions, if not detected early, can severely affect academic delivery.”

Mr. Sagoe particularly praised the organizers for selecting Fiaseman SHS as the first beneficiary school in the campaign. While noting that this was not the first health screening at the school, he acknowledged the exceptional scale and depth of this exercise and expressed the school’s willingness to continue engaging with Space FM for future programs.

Senior Physician Assistant at Apinto Government Hospital, Mr. Isaac Akyen, who led the medical team, shared key insights from the screening. He revealed that many students tested negative for hepatitis B—a positive outcome—but stressed the need for preventative measures such as vaccinations. “We are calling on the sponsors to consider including hepatitis B vaccinations in future screenings to protect those who tested negative,” he said. Mr. Akyen also advocated for ongoing support and follow-up for students who require further medical management and recommended incorporating menstrual hygiene education for female students as part of future sessions.The initiative was made possible through an investment of GH¢88,000 by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation. Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mr. Abdel Razak Yakubu, emphasized the importance of health as a cornerstone of the foundation’s values. “We believe that for students to perform well academically, they must first be in good health. As a foundation, we are committed to supporting the holistic development of young people, especially in our host communities,” he stated.Representing the management of Space FM, Reverend Isaac Asamoah thanked both Gold Fields Ghana Foundation and the Ghana Health Service for their invaluable support. He explained that the health screening was part of the media organization’s broader corporate social responsibility efforts aimed at ensuring the youth remain healthy and academically productive. “This is about investing in the future. A healthy student population means better academic results and ultimately a stronger community,” he said.

The success of this health screening exercise underscores the impact of public-private partnerships in advancing student health and education. As the initiative gains momentum, stakeholders are hopeful that similar programs will be extended to more schools in Tarkwa Nsuaem municipality.

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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