By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
Residents of Tikonko Chiefdom in Bo District gathered in large numbers on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at the Tikonko Native Administrative Court Barray to benefit from a comprehensive free healthcare outreach organized by the Bo District Health Management Team (DHMT).
The health fair formed part of activities marking the DHMT’s 2026 Annual Retreat and was designed to expand access to essential healthcare services for rural communities across the district.
Speaking at the event, the Bo District Medical Officer, Dr. Amara Stevens Ngegbai, explained that the initiative aims to increase access to quality healthcare, strengthen community support systems, and improve the delivery of primary healthcare services.
Dr. Ngegbai disclosed that this is the first time in three years that a health fair has been incorporated into the DHMT’s retreat activities. He noted that the annual retreat serves as an important administrative exercise, enabling the health management team to review past performance, assess challenges, and strategize for more effective service delivery in the year ahead.
“The retreat is a fundamental component of effective administration. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our previous interventions and plan better for the future. As part of giving back to the communities we serve, we decided to organize this health fair to ensure that essential services reach the people directly,” he stated.
The outreach provided a broad range of services, including general medical screenings, outpatient consultations, family planning services, health education, immunizations under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), and other essential primary healthcare interventions.
Health officials emphasized that the services align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Declaring the health fair and retreat officially open, the Paramount Chief of Tikonko Chiefdom, Joe Kangbai Macavorey, commended the Bo DHMT for bringing the initiative to his chiefdom and urged residents to take full advantage of the free services.
“This is a laudable initiative. I encourage all my people to take advantage of this opportunity to receive medical attention at no cost. Such interventions contribute greatly to the well-being of our communities,” the Paramount Chief said.
He described the approach as innovative and expressed hope that it would achieve its intended objectives of improving healthcare access and strengthening collaboration between communities and the health sector.
Beneficiaries, particularly the elderly and vulnerable groups, expressed profound gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the Bo DHMT for what they described as a timely and life-saving intervention. Many praised the team’s continued commitment to accelerating mobile health campaigns and expanding outreach services to underserved communities within the district.
The event underscores ongoing efforts by district health authorities to bridge healthcare gaps and bring essential services closer to the people, especially in rural areas.