A Public Health Physician at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Dr. Nana Esi Woode has called on Ghanaians to take proactive steps in safeguarding their health by seeking early medical care to prevent complications.
She made the appeal during a community health outreach and HIV/AIDS awareness, including a free health screening and blood donation exercise program held at Ayigbe Town, near UGMC on December 5 2025 .
The initiative brought together residents for education on preventive health practices and the importance of regular medical check-ups.
Speaking to Univers News, Dr. Woode emphasized that ignorance about one’s current health status puts people at risk of advanced illnesses.
” So my advice is, during this period, it’s good to know your health status. Don’t just sit at home and think you are well.Just get screened. So that if we have any intervention we can put in place, we’ll do that. So that the disease won’t progress and advance and later lead to death. ”
She further encouraged persons living with HIV/AIDS to stay informed about their health conditions and adhere to treatment plans to improve recovery outcomes.
“So, know your status. We have the self-test kits available for HIV. So you can move to the pharmacy, go to a nearby health facility. If you want us to screen at the facility, we’ll do that. If you want the self-testing kits, you’ll be given that to screen at home. And if you are positive, you can move to the health facility. Then they’ll test, confirm, and put you on treatment. So HIV medications are available, it’s free. So, get to know your status, get to the health facility, be screened, and be put on treatment. ”
The outreach program forms part of UGMC’s broader efforts to promote community health awareness and empower citizens with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
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Story by Kelvin Owusu Andam| univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Deborah Owusu
