“Campaign”: A History of the Medial Field Unit in Ghana

In Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, Medical Field Units (MFU) were established in the 1930s as part of the colonial administration’s policy for handling endemic and epidemic diseases. Beginning with a few locations in Gambaga in northern Ghana, their activities spread to several parts of the country. The chapter traces the origins and operations of the MFU with specific reference to its areas, communities, and populations of operation, and the specific diseases that were treated, examples of which at that time included sleeping sickness, meningitis, small pox, malaria, and yellow fever. The chapter will discuss infrastructures, such as the staff and transport systems associated with the Medical Field Units, and the problems faced by the personnel in their contribution to recording disease.