Mobile clinic services to deprived communities

INTRODUCTION

As part of its commitment to improving access to essential healthcare services, Hereafter Ghana continues to implement community-health based initiatives aimed at reaching underserved and vulnerable populations. The mobile clinic outreach is one such initiative, designed to bring essential healthcare services closer to individuals and communities who may face challenges in accessing conventional health facilities.

Through the provision of basic medical consultations, health screening, education and preventive healthcare services, the outreach seeks to address common health concerns while promoting early detection and appropriate management of illnesses. By taking healthcare services directly into communities, the initiative also creates opportunities for individuals to receive timely health information and make informed decisions about their well-being.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the mobile clinic outreach conducted at the Wovoguma community was to provide accessible healthcare services to community members through screening, clinical assessment, treatment, health education and appropriate referrals. The outreach focused on the prevention, early detection and management of common health conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups within the rural community.

The outreach specifically aimed to screen community members for malaria, provide appropriate treatment to individuals who tested positive and refer severe cases for further medical care. It also sought to identify and manage common skin diseases, particularly among children in the rural community, through clinical assessment and appropriate treatment. Additionally, the outreach aimed to assess and treat cases of diarrhoeal diseases and provide the necessary medications, while promoting awareness of appropriate preventive and management practices. Older adults were also screened for hypertension and diabetes through blood pressure and blood glucose measurement.

Individuals were provided with counselling on their results and those requiring further medical attention were appropriately referred for continued care.

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Community entry and mobilization: The team engaged community leaders and key stake holders to introduce the outreach, explain its purpose and mobilize community members for participation.
• Vital signs Assessment: Beneficiaries underwent basic health assessment, including measurements of blood pressure, temperature, weight and other relevant parameters. Community members were screened for malaria and positive cases received appropriate treatment, while sever cases were referred for further care.
• Skin conditions assessment and management: Common skin conditions, particularly among children, were clinically assessed and appropriately managed through treatment and counselling.

• COMMUNITY_MOBILE_CLINIC_HEREAFTER_GHANA_.pdf (PDF)