GCGL marks 75th anniversary with free health screening
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has organised a free medical screening exercise for residents of Adabraka, an annual event that enables the company to give back to the community.
The company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the community that has hosted it for 75 years has been running for more than a decade and continues to provide residents with free access to essential medical care.
Hundreds of residents trooped to the Graphic Clinic on the Kojo Thompson Avenue last Saturday, to take part in the exercise that covered general medical consultations, blood pressure and sugar level checks, dental and optical screening.
Basic medications were provided for those who required them, while those requiring further medical examination were referred.
The exercise was sponsored by Danpong Healthcare, Asterisk Health Sciences, Triderm Pharma, Letap Pharmaceuticals, Unicom Chemist, Pharmanova, Titapic Fruit Juice, Blue Skies and Atlantic Life Sciences.
It was supported by companies such as Gokals Healthy Options, Serepa Dental Clinic and Synlab Ghana.
Exercise
A Medical Officer with the screening team, Dr Kweku Essilfie Arhin, described this year’s exercise as encouraging, explaining that residents were becoming more health-conscious.
Dennis Arthur, Marketing Manager of Unicom Chemist, speaking to our reporter
“This time around, when we educate them about their conditions, they are more open-minded.
Many who were put on medication a year ago are still adhering to their treatment.
Of course, hypertension and blood pressure issues remain common, but overall, there has been an improvement,” he said.
Dr Arhin explained that while some new cases of ailment were recorded, there had been noticeable improvement among long-term patients who continued to follow their prescriptions.
Initiative
The acting Corporate Communications Manager of GCGL, Mavis Kyerewaa Boateng, said the initiative was inspired by the company’s responsibility to support the communities that had sustained its operations over the years.
Dr Kweku Essilfie Arhin — a medical officer with the screening team, sharing some facts
“As part of our 75th anniversary, we said yes, we have to come back to Adabraka to give the people access to free health care.
A healthy nation is a healthy community.
When a community is healthy, the nation is healthy,” she said.
She explained that GCGL’s ethos was to share with society, saying, “Without the community, we would not exist.
That is why this programme is always special to us. Thank you for making it a success year after year,” she added.
The Adabraka Mantse, Nii Tetteh Agyabeng II, expressed appreciation to GCGL and its partners for sustaining the initiative over the years.
“Many businesses spring up and within five years, they disappear. But Graphic has been able to stand the test of time for 75 years, and our people are benefiting from its services,” he said.
He urged residents not only to participate, but to spread the word so that family and friends would also benefit.
Nii Agyabeng further recalled that when GCGL was first established in Adabraka, many of its workers were recruited from the community, a practice that strengthened bonds between the company and the people.
“Graphic has been through challenges, especially in today’s digital media age, yet they are still here, creating jobs and giving back to the people. For this, we commend both the company and the government for supporting its establishment,” he added.
Collaborations
The Marketing Manager of Unicom Chemist, Dennis Arthur, said the event coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary.
Nii Tetteh Agyabeng II — Adabraka Mantse, expressing his gratitude to the GCGL
“Pharmaceuticals are not just about treatment. We want people to take charge of their health and engage more in preventive care.
Programmes like this expose hidden conditions and help people take a front foot in their health care,” he said.
The Deputy Head of Sales and Marketing at Top-up Pharmacy, Dr George Anagli, said the company’s mission was to alleviate suffering not only within their pharmacies, but across all communities.
“That is why we found it wise to partner with Graphic on this impactful project. It aligns perfectly with our mission,” he added.
Access to eye care
Eye care formed an important part of the exercise, with Dr Yaw Obeng Benson, an Optometrist at Gokals Opticals, leading the eye screening sessions.
He said Gokals had consistently partnered with GCGL in the annual exercise as part of its social responsibility.
“Every year, we come here to test the eyes of residents.
The cases we can handle, we treat here.
The more complicated ones we refer to our North Ridge clinic,” he said.
Dr Benson announced a 20 per cent discount for all participants referred from the Adabraka screening.
“Anyone who presents the referral note at our clinic receives 20 per cent off every service, including lenses and low-vision devices,” he added.
