The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has launched an Annual Birthday Health Screening Initiative aimed at encouraging residents and staff of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to mark their birthdays with routine medical check-ups.

The programme, which will be rolled out by the Accra Metropolitan Health Directorate, is designed to promote early detection of health conditions and reduce preventable illnesses and deaths across the metropolis. It targets adults, particularly those aged 30 years and above, and seeks to make annual screenings a consistent personal health habit.

Under the initiative, residents are encouraged to treat their birthday as a “gift to self” by undertaking baseline assessments such as blood pressure checks and body mass index measurements.

Recommended laboratory tests include fasting blood sugar, kidney and liver function tests, and lipid profiles to monitor cholesterol levels. Cardiac enzyme testing is also advised as part of routine examinations.

Gender-specific screenings are included in the package, with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing recommended for men, while women are encouraged to undergo cervical cancer screening and breast examinations, including mammography or ultrasound where necessary.

Speaking at the 2025 District Health Annual Conference and Performance Review of the Accra Metro Health Directorate, the mayor linked the initiative to broader national efforts to expand preventive healthcare access.

He indicated that steps are being taken to integrate routine preventive services into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), in line with a free primary healthcare policy, to ensure that cost does not discourage residents from undertaking recommended tests.

Metropolitan Director of Health Services Louisa Ademki Matey explained that tying screenings to birthdays provides a simple and memorable reminder, making it easier for people to consistently prioritise their health.