Mining Support Services giant, Quantum LC Company Limited; has Joined AngloGold Ashanti to provide free eye care services to Odumase and its adjoining towns in the Obuase East District of the Ashanti Region.
The health intervention was conducted by the Iris Titus-Glover Medical Outreach, established by the CEO and founder of Quantum LC Joseph Titus-Glover, in honor of his late mother who lost her sight to an eye condition.
The initiative constituted a major addition to the AGA mini clinic and health outreach held by AngloGold Ashanti Obuase Mines and its partners.
Hundreds who thronged the Eye Center were handled by experts from the Narh-Bita Hospital and Help Is On The Way (HIOTW) Ministries.
After thorough eye screening, residents were provided with free medications and eye glasses.
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with Quantum LC, Caleb Ayiku explained that the gesture formed part of the company’s three CSR pillars of improving lives of communities through Local social interventions; Enhancing local employment and Economic Empowerment of Local Businesses.
He explained, what we are doing here is an extension of our Local Social Interventions where we identify specific and unique needs in the communities in which we work. We have done a lot of donations to orphanages. We have also helped a number of people with medical bills at the local AGA Hospital in Obuasi.
Caleb Ayiku indicated that Quantum LC through Iris Titus Glover Eye Medical Outreach would consider supporting the referral of specific cases for extra attention
“We intend to take this a bit further because there are some people who will need further treatment in a proper set up. Some might even need surgery in a well-established hospital,” he assured.
Caleb Ayiku outlined the company’s immense contribution to the local economy employing some eight thousand locals and creating wealth for local businesses through its deliberate local content policy to procure services and supplies from local companies and vendors.
Mini Clinic Health Outreach
Medics from AngloGold Health Foundation; The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation; the Obuase Municipal and Obuase East District Health Directorate set up stands to provide a myriad of free health services to the community members.
Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mines Edmond Oduro Agyei commended partners including Quantum LC, GIZ and Veolia Ghana Ltd for their continuous commitment to AGA’s outreaches.
He disclosed that aside equipping health centers with state of the art facilities and the construction of ultramodern health facilities across Obuase; the AGA Mini Clinic and Health Outreaches have catered for the health needs of some 33,000 beneficiaries.
“Our free healthcare and treatment exemplifies our belief that free healthcare should be accessible to everyone regardless of their circumstances. We understand that many people face barriers to accessing essential medical services and so it is our vision to breakdown these barriers and bring critical healthcare resources directly to you,” he noted.
Mr. Oduro Agyei disclosed that the investments in health formed part of interventions under the health pillar of the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine ten year Soceo-Economic Development Plan (SSDP).
Obuasi East District Assembly
Municipal Chief Executive of Obuase East District Assembly Faustina Amissah underscored the need for the private sector to embark on such social impact projects to build a cordial relationship with host communities.
“We are happy to see this today and pray it continues so that the community benefits. We know this will strengthen the relationship between the minds and the people,” she commended.
Obuasi East District Health Director Dr. Enyonam Kwawukume encouraged the residents to take advantage of such outreaches to build a positive health seeking behavior.
“If these activities are not in place, people do not go to the hospitals for checkup. We hope that people will avail themselves for these outreaches at least once a year or every six months,” Dr Kwawukume advised.
Free Medicare
Community members who visited the Len Clay School Park at Odumase took advantage of General OPD services, Mass deworming, Eye Care and Dental Services.
Others took advantage of laboratory services to check their Blood pressure, Blood glucose, Cholesterol, BMI, HIV, and Malaria etc.
Some community members who spoke to Ultimate FM/GHONE TV; commended Quantum LC; AngloGold Ashanti and its partners for offering them the opportunity to receive medical care at no cost.
Ofori Frimpong who had just received a brand new pair of glasses and some medications was full of gratitude to Quantum LC and AGA for bringing such services to often neglected smaller communities like Odumase.
“We cannot access such services in smaller towns in the outskirts. It is very noble that they brought this outreach here to benefit us too,” he stated.
A young mother Josephine Nyarko told reporter Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, “Many could not have afforded to pay for the long list of medical tests that we have gone through for free.
“I really wish they continue to offer some of these services regularly for us,” she added.
The beneficiaries walked away with medications and free insecticide treated bed nets provided by Veolia Ghana Ltd.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
