ASA Savings extends health screening to 5 communities

ASA Savings and Loans Limited has expanded its health screening to Bekwai, Asawase, Ningo, Takoradi New Market and Ashaiman.

The screening in these areas identified ailments such as malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers and eye care needs.

Bekwai – Broadway

Traders and, mostly, clients of the financial institution were involved in the exercise.

The beneficiaries received free mosquito nets to help prevent malaria.

A medical team from Soteria Anglican Hospital, led by Dr. Antwi-Boasiako, observed issues relating to personal hygiene, eye disease, unwillingness among the beneficiaries to visit a health facility to check on their health status when they are not well.

Mr. Sekyi Odame Samuel, Area Manager for Bekwai at ASA Savings and Loans Ltd., highlighted that reaching out to the society and clients through such exercises remains a key agenda for the company to have a positive impact.

He emphasised the importance of community care, stating: “ASA has been a part of this community for many years and we cannot just conduct business; we must also prioritise the well-being of the people. As part of our vision, if the community thrives, so does the company”.

Ama Janet, a customer, expressed gratitude to the company for knowing her health status.

Asawase Market

301 traders and clients benefitted from the free medical screening.

The medical team deployed to conduct the screening observed issues related to personal hygiene among the beneficiaries, noticing that many of them had skin infections.

George Osei, one of the medical officers, emphasised the need to intensify education to change the public perception about healthcare and urged them to undergo regular check-ups at hospitals.

He commended ASA Savings and Loans for ensuring that healthcare of the people is of importance to them.

Mavis Adwoa Owusu, Area Manageress of the company at Aboabo, said reaching out to the society and clients through such exercises remains key agenda for the company to have a positive impact.

“We aim to promote the general well-being of our clients and the community within our operational area because good healthcare is of importance to us at ASA,” she said.

Rakia Issah, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the company for the health screening. Other staff members from ASA Savings, particularly from the Aboabo Business Centre, actively participated to ensure the success of the event.

Ningo Lorry Station

175 people presented themselves for the health screening exercise. 27 of them had high blood pressure, 6 were diagnosed with malaria, 38 of them had various eye ailment and 100, who took part in general screening, were deemed generally safe. Also, those who were screened for hepatitis B tested negative.

Head of medical team at the Modern Care Clinic, Abdul Rahman Akugri, explained that about 70 percent of the beneficiaries were above 60 years.

He advised them to take their medication according to the dosage given, exercise regularly and then eat a well-balanced meal.

Branch Manageress of the company, Mary Colette-Arthur, was elated about the turn-out and promised the exercise would be conducted annually.

Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans, Justice Korsah, said: “This is our corporate social responsibility and we are happy to serve our clients and members of the community”.

Anaji Branch

The ASA Savings and Loans Limited in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis also extended it free health screening to market women and clients of the company.

They were examined for malaria, hepatitis B, diabetes, blood pressure, glucose, among others; and they were given treatment and free medication according to the ailments they were diagnosed.

Mrs. Helena Gaisie, Head of the medical team for the screening, counselled them to ensure good eating habit, exercise regularly, get enough rest as well as limit the intake of alcohol and salt.

“Keep your environment clean at all times and do not wait when there is a communal labour or you have a visitor before you put your house in order,” she advised.

Mrs. Cynthia Naggai Blankson, Branch Manager for Anaji Branch of ASA Savings and Loans Limited, thanked the people for the massive turn-out. She explained that the health screening exercise forms part of the company’s social responsibility. “This exercise is organised annually across all our branches and business centres in the country.”

Ashaiman residents

The gesture which was reached out to residents within the Ashaiman (Valco Flat Market) and nearby communities was facilitated to address medical conditions and other health needs.

Approximately 191 clients attended the event, with the majority being market women – mostly customers of the financial institution.

The screening identified various health conditions prevalent among the participants, including musculoskeletal pains (lumbago) at 35 percent, peripheral neuropathy at 7 percent, insomnia at 15 percent and eye disorders at 6 percent.

Additionally, cases of malaria, enteric fever and others were observed, constituting 46 percent of the diagnoses.

Head of the medical team, Physician Assistant – Isaac Okyere, recommended that more funds should be allocated toward the procurement of medications and other essential medical items, considering the high cost of healthcare delivery in the current environment.

Medical Lab Scientist Alhassan Haruna commended the gesture by ASA Savings and Loans and called for similar social services to be continued and replicated in other areas.

Ashaiman Area Manager for ASA Savings and Loans Limited, Richmond Afari Hayford, emphasised the need to impact positively on society as an institution.

Other staff of ASA Savings and Loans present event included Sandra Minlan, the Assistant Branch Manageress for Lebanon BC as well as Joseph Abeiku Annan, the Junior Divisional Manager for Accra East.

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