The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), in collaboration with the University of Buffalo and the AU Africa Students Union (AASU), has held a medical outreach at the La Nkwantanang Basic Schools. 

The initiative forms part of UPSA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) aimed to provide consistent support in education, mentorship and health care for the community.

Health screening

The health screening, which took place yesterday, involved toddlers, pupils, teachers and market women. Participants who were diagnosed with any illness were given medication free of charge, while some were referred.

The screening also provided medical, dental and optometry for participants.

The event was attended by the Director of the Centre for International Education and Collaboration, Ivy Heward-Mills; Medical Director for UPSA Medical Centre, Dr Isaac Newman Arthur, students from the University of Buffalo and UPSA, and medical practitioners.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, emphasised the importance of this outreach, stating that it represented the institution’s commitment to social impact and community service.

He said the initiative, which began with educational support in 2017, had now expanded to address the broader health needs of the community, with a special focus on the market women at Madina.

"This outreach, which brings us the resources and expertise of the University at Buffalo and AASU, demonstrates how meaningful collaboration can transcend borders and positively impact communities," Prof. Mawutor said.

An infectious disease physician and clinical assistant professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine in Buffalo, Dr John Hu, emphasised the value of health education alongside medical treatment and the success of the partnership in delivering health care to underserved communities.

“As we talk about high blood pressure and diabetes while we can give certain courses of treatment, the education that we are able to provide with our partners goes much further than that,” he said.

Donation

Aside from the health screening, the institutions donated some stationery to the schools.