Give Basic Needs executes major medical outreach in Tamale, uncovers urgent typhoid and HIV cases

Give Basic Needs, a non-profit organization focused on essential services, successfully executed a major free medical outreach at its Tamale office on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The event saw an exceptional turnout from residents, underlining the persistent demand for accessible, free healthcare services in Northern Ghana, particularly amid prevailing economic pressures and global health funding shifts.

The comprehensive day-long exercise was a crucial follow-up to Give Basic Needs’ commitment to community health and leveraged collaboration with several local NGOs and individual volunteers who provided expert support. The turnout was reportedly significant, with many residents lining up hours before the official 9:00 AM start, signaling a community eager for preventative and diagnostic care.

Focused Services and Crucial Wellness Support

The outreach delivered a wide range of services, with a notable focus on preventative screening and women's wellness. Medical personnel provided tests for major endemic diseases, including Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis B & C, and HIV.

A core component of the intervention was dedicated to women’s health. Volunteers distributed sanitary pads to support better menstrual hygiene and offered guidance on wellness and disease prevention. Public health education sessions were also integrated throughout the day, emphasizing essential hygiene practices and disease awareness.

Alarming Health Data Highlights Public Health Gaps

While the outreach was a success in terms of participation, the diagnostic results revealed several immediate and serious public health concerns that require urgent attention.

From the screenings conducted, the medical teams identified and documented the following positive cases:

• Typhoid Cases: 25 positive cases
• Malaria Cases: 6 positive cases
• HIV Cases: 3 positive cases
• Hepatitis C Case: 1 positive case

The high number of Typhoid diagnoses (25 cases) is particularly alarming, providing localized evidence supporting the persistent national reports of rising Typhoid incidence across Ghana. Experts at the event noted that these cases are often direct indicators of deficiencies in water safety, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and compromised food hygiene within the community.

Call to Action and Ongoing Prevention
Following the findings, Give Basic Needs and partner medical staff emphasized the urgent need for behavioral changes to curb the spread of waterborne diseases. Residents were strongly encouraged to adopt the following practices immediately:

• Boil or treat all drinking water before consumption.
• Wash hands regularly with soap and running water, especially before preparing food and after using the washroom.
• Ensure food is well-cooked and properly covered to avoid contamination.

The organization further committed to connecting the newly identified positive cases for HIV and Hepatitis C with partner organizations for follow-up care and management.

Bridging the Funding Gap
This successful outreach reinforces the critical role local non-profits like Give Basic Needs play in filling healthcare vacuums. Give Basic Needs’ activities, including previous outreaches that served over 2,500 people in Gusheigu Township and screened more than 3,000 students in senior high schools, are becoming increasingly vital.

The organization reiterated its commitment to its core mission of providing Food, Shelter, and Medical care, acknowledging the widening gaps created by major global health funding cuts, which are severely straining the already stretched Ghanaian health sector. Through consistent, targeted, and data-driven interventions, Give Basic Needs continues to implement its philosophy: "Small Acts. Big Happy."

Source: Give Basic Needs