Adolescent Health Check-Up programme making strides in Cape Coast

Dr. Franklin Glozah, Deputy Country Lead of Y-Check Ghana and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health, has commended the support received during the implementation of the adolescent health check-up programme.

Speaking at the Implementation Progress Meeting with the Y-Check Community Advisory Board (CAB) and local stakeholders on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Capital Hill Hotel in Cape Coast, Dr. Glozah expressed excitement about the programme’s reach. He revealed that 2,001 adolescents from selected communities, Senior High Schools, and Basic Schools within the Cape Coast metropolis had been screened for key health conditions.

The initiative is now in its four-month follow-up phase, aiming to track the progress of the adolescents who were screened. “We are reassessing their health conditions four months after screening, treatment, and referrals. So far, the results have been positive,” he stated. Dr. Glozah urged parents, teachers, and community members to encourage adolescents to attend the follow-up screening sessions.

Challenges in Follow-Up Screening

Despite the programme’s success, Dr. Glozah acknowledged difficulties in reaching all 300 adolescents from communities such as Efutu, Ekon, Amamoma, Abura, and Apewosika for follow-up checks. “We are currently screening about 10 adolescents per day instead of the expected 30 to 35, which has slowed our progress,” he explained. He called on parents, guardians, and participants to ensure they attend their follow-up sessions to facilitate the process.

Programme Leadership and Support

The implementation progress meeting was attended by key Y-Check investigators and staff, including Prof. Evans Agbeno, Dr. Eric Koka, Dr. Kenneth Adde, Miss Abigail Abban, Mr. Meshack Kweku Davies, and Miss Christabel Ampofo.

Dr. Glozah remains optimistic that, with continued support, the programme will achieve its desired outcomes as it moves forward.