The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to community service and public health through a comprehensive Medical and One Health Outreach organised by its College of Health Sciences as part of the University’s 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Prof. Francis Kemausuor Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, said KNUST’s 75th anniversary was not only an opportunity to reflect on its achievements in teaching, research and innovation but also to demonstrate its enduring responsibility to society.
“KNUST’s seventy-five-year journey has been defined not only by excellence in teaching, research and innovation, but also by a strong commitment to service,” he said, adding that, as a public university, KNUST has a duty to ensure its knowledge and expertise directly improve the well-being of communities.
He described the outreach as “a practical demonstration of that responsibility,” noting that it brought together professionals and students from various health disciplines to deliver integrated healthcare services to surrounding communities.
Prof. Kemausuor commended the College of Health Sciences, the planning committee and participating schools and departments for collaborating to organise the outreach, stressing that multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to addressing today’s complex health challenges.
He also expressed appreciation to traditional authorities, market leaders, community members and development partners for supporting the initiative through logistical assistance, equipment and supplies.
Prof. Kemausuor urged health professionals, students and volunteers to deliver services with professionalism, compassion and respect while protecting patient confidentiality and ensuring that participants requiring further care received appropriate referrals.
He encouraged residents to take full advantage of the available services by asking questions, providing accurate health information and following medical advice after the screening exercises. He noted that health screening is most effective when followed by appropriate action and continued care.
Professor Fred Stephen Sarfo, Provost of the College of Health Sciences.
Professor Fred Stephen Sarfo, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, described the outreach as a practical expression of the University’s commitment to translating knowledge into meaningful community service.
“Today is a very important day for the College of Health Sciences. We are gathered not simply to mark an anniversary, but to demonstrate what seventy-five years of KNUST should mean in practical terms: knowledge translated into service, professional expertise brought closer to the people, and stronger partnerships between the University and its neighbouring communities,” he stated.
Prof. Sarfo said that while the College is dedicated to training health professionals, advancing research and improving health outcomes, those responsibilities must extend beyond lecture halls, laboratories and hospitals into the communities where people live and work.
He said the choice of Anwomaso Market as the venue was deliberate because markets serve as important centres of economic and social activity, making healthcare services more accessible to surrounding communities.
Prof. Sarfo also underscored the importance of teamwork among healthcare professionals, noting that effective healthcare delivery depends on collaboration among doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, laboratory professionals, physiotherapists, optometrists, veterinary professionals, public health practitioners and students.
“No single profession can meet all the health needs of a community,” he observed, adding that the outreach also provided students with valuable practical experience in interprofessional collaboration, communication and patient-centred care.
Encouraging community members to participate actively, he advised residents to openly discuss their health concerns with healthcare providers and comply with referral recommendations where further assessment or treatment was required.
Prof. Sarfo also stressed the importance of preventive healthcare, noting that many diseases can either be prevented or effectively managed through regular health checks, healthy lifestyles, appropriate medication use and early medical consultation.
He expressed appreciation to the organising committee, faculty, students, volunteers, traditional leaders, assembly representatives, market leaders, community mobilisers and development partners whose contributions made the outreach possible.
Calling on members of the outreach team to uphold the highest professional standards throughout the exercise, he urged them to safeguard patient dignity, confidentiality and safety while communicating clearly with participants.
“The value of today’s programme will not be measured only by the number of people screened. It will also be measured by the quality of the interactions, the referrals completed, the knowledge shared and the trust strengthened between the College and the communities,” he said.
He described the outreach as both a celebration of KNUST’s 75th anniversary and a reaffirmation of the College of Health Sciences’ commitment to remaining responsive to the healthcare needs of Ghanaians.
Nana Akwasi Poku, Gyaasehene of Anwomaso, speaking on behalf of the Anwomasohene, Nana Osei Boah III, expressed appreciation to KNUST and the College of Health Sciences for bringing the outreach to the community, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to the health and well-being of residents.
He thanked the University for “bringing healing, care and essential health services to the residents of this community,” noting that the outreach would benefit many people who might otherwise have limited access to such services.
Nana Poku encouraged residents of Anwomaso and neighbouring communities to participate fully in the programme and take advantage of the free medical consultations, screening and health education being offered.
He also expressed hope that the outreach would become a recurring initiative rather than a one-time event.
“I hope that this will not be the only time such a programme is held here. We welcome more of these initiatives in the future to continue supporting the health and well-being of our people,” he said.
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