By Bernice Bessey
As part of its commitment to improve life in communities across the country, the Vodafone Ghana Foundation has provided free healthcare to over 700 residents of Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region, and some parts of Accra.
Through its innovative initiative ‘HealthFest’, the Foundation offered members of the community an opportunity to be screened for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and Hepatitis B and glaucoma.
The Foundation also created a gym and aerobics section to promote healthy a lifestyle and wellbeing.
In addition to the screening, the Foundation and its partners provided free medication and medical advice for some specific diseases.
“I am so happy to receive this healthcare for free, and the doctors have been very helpful,” said Yaa Serwaa, a delighted beneficiary. “I thank Vodafone for making it possible for some of us, who would otherwise, be denied access to such services, due to lack of funds.”
HealthFest, which was launched this year, is in line with the Foundation’s long-term commitment to improving the lives of people in communities.
So far, three regions, namely Greater Accra, Ashanti, and the Brong-Ahafo have benefitted from the initiative.
Speaking to reporters on the margins of the event, held over the weekend, Corporate Communication Manager for Vodafone Ghana, Daniel Kissi-Asiedu, said that the year-long exercise is aimed at providing free quality healthcare to people of deprived communities in Ghana.
According to Daniel, the HealthFest train would be moving to other parts of the country in the coming months with its team of medical experts.
He urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the company’s HealthLine 255, by dialing 255 to seek expert medical advice.
“HealthLine 255 is a medical call centre, run by clinical staff and provides expert medical advice to people. The centre opens daily from 4pm to 10pm, including Sundays,” said Daniel.
Since its establishment in 2009, the Vodafone Foundation has championed social and impactful investment programmes in the country, including the construction of boreholes, and the refurbishment of both the child and adult cancer wards of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.