The Chrematin Agro Company Limited, a private agro-processor and exporter, over the weekend held a free health screening exercise for Akwasi Fanti residents in the Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region.
The move formed part of the corporate social responsibilities of the company. It was undertaken in collaboration with the Holy Spirit Polyclinic, located within the area.
More than 100 persons were screened for Hepatitis ‘B’, malaria, typhoid fever, and also had their full blood count and blood sugar levels checked.
In an interview after the screening exercise, the Physician Assistant, Dr. Abdulai Ali, who led the team of health care givers of the Holy Spirit Polyclinic to screen the beneficiaries, said persons who tested positive for malaria or any other medical conditions were given medications, whiles those whose conditions were severe were referred to the health facility for further investigations to be conducted.
He stated that it was very necessary for the public to be health conscious by adopting healthy lifestyles and going for medical checkup, at least, once every six months.
Some chronic medical conditions, he said, did not present any symptoms at the early stages, adding that this was why a routine medical examination was very important, “because, in many cases, patients only visit the hospital when their conditions have deteriorated, making treatment difficult or impossible.”
Dr. Ali expressed gratitude to Chrematin Agro for the gesture, and called on other capable organisations to emulate the act.
A representative of Chrematin Agro, Mr. Emmanuel Yeboah, on his part, said his outfit embarked on the exercise in efforts to give back to the community. He mentioned that many people resorted to unapproved methods of treating ailments, due to financial constraints therefore, coming out occasionally to help the needy was something the company found necessary.
“We cannot operate here and overlook the needs of the people, so this is one of the reasons why we are providing the free health screening for them today. It will not be the last kind gesture from Chrematin Agro, because we will keep ensuring we add value to the lives of all the needy people we can afford to help,” he added.
According to Mr. Yeboah, plans were far advanced for the construction of a health center and classroom blocks within the area to support the educational and health needs of the people.
He revealed that Chrematin Agro had employed more than 200 workers to man the company’s farms, saying the development had contributed significantly to a reduction of unemployment among the youth in the Afram Plains.
The community members expressed gratitude to Chrematin Agro Company Limited for the generous gesture.
