As part of activities marking the 75th anniversary celebration of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the institution has organised a medical and one health outreach for residents of Anwomaso and adjoining areas in the Ashanti Region.

Spearheaded by the College of Health Sciences, the outreach aimed at bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of the residents and to improve their health needs. It was done through screening, consultation, health education, counselling, referral and one health service.

The Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, Professor Francis Kemausuor, who spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, said KNUST's 75-year journey had been defined not only by excellence in teaching, research and innovation but also by a strong commitment to service.

As a public university, he said they had the responsibility to ensure that the knowledge and expertise within the institution contributed directly to the well-being and growth of society, saying, "this outreach is therefore a practical demonstration of that responsibility".

He mentioned that the multidisciplinary approach reflected the reality that community health challenges cannot be addressed by one profession alone but that everyone must come together to deal with them.

Professor Kemausuor said the inclusion of one health service was particularly important, as human health was closely linked to animal health, environmental conditions, food safety and sanitation.

"This broader approach strengthens our ability to promote healthier and more resilient communities," he stated, and further renewed KNUST's commitment to the needs of the communities within its catchment areas.

While expressing gratitude to various stakeholders for their cooperation and support, he stated: "Our research, teaching and service must continue to respond to the realities of the people we are privileged to serve."

The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Fred Stephen Sarfo, said the university thought it wise to include the medical outreach to make their knowledge and expertise available to the people.

He noted that ailments such as blood pressure, diabetes and stroke were leading causes of death among many people, stressing: "We decided to roll out the outreach to identify diseases for early management."

He mentioned that the university had resolved to rotate the medical intervention by visiting communities within KNUST's operational area to enable residents to feel the university's impact.

The Gyaasehene of Anwomaso, Nana Akwasi Poku, who spoke on behalf of the Anwomasohene, Nana Osei Boah III, expressed appreciation to the university for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to improve the health of the people.

He urged the management of KNUST to sustain and institutionalise the initiative for the benefit of communities around the institution, saying: "We are delighted that you have provided us with such comprehensive medical services."