The Prostate Health Foundation Ghana has called for the institutionalisation of annual prostate screening for prisoners, particularly men aged 40 and above, to improve early detection and treatment of prostate-related conditions.
The Foundation said inmates serving long sentences could be at increased risk of having preventable health conditions go undetected because they may have limited opportunities to undergo regular preventive health checks.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Rebecca Nana Yaa Konadu, made the call during the launch of a nationwide prostate and general health screening programme for inmates and officers of the Ghana Prisons Service.
The Kumasi Central Prison was the first facility to benefit from the initiative, with 350 inmates and officers screened.
The beneficiaries included 300 male inmates and 50 prison officers, comprising both men and women.
A six-member medical team, consisting of two doctors, a sonographer, three nurses and a laboratory technician, conducted the screening exercise.
The beneficiaries underwent prostate scans and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, alongside general health checks for conditions including hepatitis B, typhoid fever, malaria and fasting blood sugar.
Early detection
Ms. Konadu said regular screening was particularly important for prisoners who had spent several years in custody.
“The prostate screening is a critical intervention for the inmates because many have been imprisoned for years. If we don’t check, by the time they finish their sentences, their prostate conditions may have reached a deadly stage,” she said.
She stressed the need for preventive healthcare to form part of routine health services for inmates, particularly those in the higher-risk age group.
The Foundation said the screening exercise identified some inmates with minor indications of prostate-related conditions. They were referred for further medical assessment and additional tests.
Some prison officers were also found to have elevated blood pressure readings, although the Foundation said not all the readings were significantly high.
The findings, according to the Foundation, demonstrate the importance of routine health monitoring for both inmates and prison officers.
Health education
Beyond the medical tests, the exercise included health education sessions on preventive healthcare, regular medical check-ups and the importance of early detection and treatment of diseases.
The Foundation said it would continue the nationwide programme in communities and institutions, with particular attention to men aged 40 and above who may face challenges accessing regular prostate screening.
The organisation expressed appreciation to the Ghana Prisons Service and the management of the Kumasi Central Prison for supporting the initiative.
The Foundation also donated medical and other items to the prison.
Members of the team included the Chairman of the Foundation, Hon. Clement Wilkinson; Project Manager, Nicholas Tawiah; and Executive Member, Nana Oduro.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
