In parts of Ghana where basic healthcare remains a daily challenge, one woman is quietly making a big difference. Dr Sharon Aa Inir Karbo, a medical doctor and passionate public health advocate, is taking a hands-on approach to addressing the silent threat of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
Through her nonprofit organisation, On Field Life Savers, Dr Karbo is bringing healthcare directly to the people. Her work is simple but powerful, offering screenings, education, and training to individuals and communities who would otherwise be left behind.
Since it was founded, On Field Life Savers has become a well-known name in Ghana’s health space. With a focus on reducing preventable deaths from non-communicable diseases, the group has trained over 600 lay health workers, introduced CPR programmes in schools, and delivered health education in markets and fishing villages.
Her efforts are gaining national attention.
Over the past year, local media in Ghana have spotlighted Dr Karbo’s work and the innovative ways she reaches communities with little or no access to regular healthcare. Her strategy is straightforward: take healthcare to the people instead of waiting for them to come to the hospital.
A major part of this strategy is the Hypertension and Diabetes Advocate Hubs, walk-in health checkpoints set up in eight high-risk communities. These hubs offer free blood pressure and glucose testing. Many people who visit discover serious conditions they never knew they had, allowing them to seek help before it’s too late.
But Dr Karbo’s work goes beyond diagnosis.
She and her team are consistently present in schools, local markets, and fishing settlements. Through partnerships with institutions like Ridge City Academy and associations like the Chorkor Fishermen Group, they offer training on life-saving skills, donate basic health equipment, and teach community members how to identify early warning signs of chronic diseases.
The impact is visible. Students are now trained to respond during emergencies. Traders are more informed about their health. Youth volunteers are becoming community health champions. And all of this is driven by Dr Karbo’s belief that knowledge and presence are some of the most powerful tools in healthcare.
“She doesn’t just provide care,” a local journalist noted. “She builds confidence and responsibility in people to take care of themselves and each other.”
Her approach stands out because it doesn’t rely on expensive technology or complicated systems. It relies on people, their willingness to learn, to teach, and to act.
And as word spreads, her network grows. With collaborations from groups like Oncology Care Ghana and Purple Point Diagnostics, On Field Life Savers is reaching even more communities and deepening its impact.
Despite the recognition and growing support, Dr Karbo remains focused on one clear goal: ensuring no one dies from a condition that could have been prevented with the right information and basic care.
In an age where digital tools dominate discussions on healthcare, her work is a reminder that some of the most effective solutions are still the most human, education, access, and a consistent, caring presence.
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