Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in partnership with Ghana Prisons Service, has organised a free dental screening exercise for inmates at the Kumasi Central Prison as part of activities marking the hospital’s 70th anniversary.
The outreach, held on Friday, March 20, 2026, also coincided with World Oral Health Day 2026, which is being observed under the theme “A happy mouth is a happy life.”
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Isaac Akotoye of KATH’s Oral Health Unit said the programme was aimed at improving access to oral healthcare among inmates who often have limited opportunities to receive routine screening.
“It’s always a pleasure to serve and give back to the community. We know that the inmates here are in need of oral healthcare, and this exercise is to help improve their oral hygiene and general health,” he said.
He urged the public to prioritise proper dental care by brushing twice daily, visiting certified dental professionals regularly and avoiding harmful habits such as using teeth to open bottles. According to him, oral health goes beyond the teeth and includes the supporting structures that play an important role in overall well-being.
Superintendent of Prisons Stephen Kuma, who is in charge of the prison’s health centre, said the oral health situation among inmates was “fair but not up to the standard expected,” mainly due to irregular supply of hygiene kits.
He said the screening would help detect dental problems early and improve the health of inmates, many of whom have not previously had access to oral screening. He also appealed to corporate bodies, churches, non-governmental organisations and individuals to support the facility with medical equipment, drugs and other health supplies.
Mr. Emmanuel Boateng Agyinfrah from the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana Prisons Service said the exercise forms part of the Service’s “Think Prison 360 Initiative,” which focuses on the welfare of both inmates and officers.
He explained that the initiative includes plans to establish a drug bank to support healthcare delivery at the prison, noting that the facility currently relies heavily on public support for essential medicines.
The free screening exercise forms part of broader activities by KATH to commemorate its 70th anniversary while also supporting vulnerable groups in society through community outreach programmes.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
