A/R: Legacy Foundation/Hospital Provide Medical Screening For Kumasi Central Prisoners

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A Kumasi based non-governmental organisation known as the Legacy Foundation in collaboration with the Legacy Hospital located at Asokore Mampong, has provided free medical services for inmates at the Kumasi Central Prison in the Ashanti Region.

The event was held on Wednesday 3rd July 2024 at the Kumasi Central Prison. Dozens of Medical students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and staff of the Legacy Hospital were assembled to offer general screening and free treatment for inmates.

Mr. Isaac Boamah Asare, Director of Operations for Legacy Foundation, explained to Opemsuo News the decision to offer free medical services to inmates was borne out of compassion. According to him, the health of both inmates and officers have not been given the needed attention, hence the initiative.

“If you have observed, in our society, every charity is geared towards the orphan and widow whiles those that consider the prison do not pay attention to the health of the inmates. So we are here today to offer free health screening and treatment for the inmates in this facility”.

He added the initiative will be extended to other prison facilities in the Ashanti Region.

“It will not end here. We shall also visit the Manhyia and Amanfrom Prisons and do same for them and climax it at Nsawam at the appropriate time,” he indicated.

A Supervisor at the Foundation, Patience Aboagyewaa, ceased the opportunity to advise the public to be careful not to engage in anything that can potentially end them in prison.

According to her, “in our interactions, we have found that some people are here on false accusations, anger and some trivial issues that if well managed could have saved them so I just want to urge people to be careful”.

Prof Joseph York, Head of Surgery at KNUST and founder of the Legacy Foundation and Legacy Hospital, told Opemsuo Radio his team identified skin diseases and hernia as the most common health issues at the facility.

“We identified skin diseases and hernia among most of the men we screened and skin diseases. There are many of them particularly the youth who have high blood pressure but are not aware, so we are treating all of them.”

He called on the general public to support the healthcare of prisoners at various facilities.

“As we all know, the government cannot do it all alone so I am pleading with the general public to come on board and help provide healthcare for our brothers and sisters in prison facilities.”

Also, the Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Prisons Secretariat, Superintendent Richard Bukari, expressed gratitude to the Legacy Foundation. He noted that the exercise has been a major relief for the officers and inmates as far as their health is concerned and called on other organisations to come to their aid.