Two pharmaceutical companies, M&G Pharmaceutical Ltd and Ernest Chemists Limited, have donated essential medicines worth about GH¢15,000 to support the Graphic annual free health screening exercise in Adabraka and its surrounding communities, scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Graphic Clinic.
This gesture forms part of the ongoing support from corporate partners for the community-focused initiative of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. (GCGL).
The medicines are expected to help treat residents who patronise the annual exercise, which offers free medical consultations, screening, and treatment to members of the public.
The initiative, held annually as part of GCGL's community outreach programme, seeks to promote preventive health care, improve access to medical services, and reduce the financial burden on residents seeking basic care.
It is also aimed at encouraging routine health checks for the early detection of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, particularly among vulnerable residents.
The exercise is expected to provide specialised services in areas including eye care, dentistry and laboratory testing, with medical professionals screening participants for common health conditions.
Supporting health care
The Director of M&G Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mitesh N.Varia, said the donation formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives and its commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives in the country.
Some of the drugs supplied
He said the pharmaceutical company, being a local manufacturer, also saw the exercise as an opportunity to demonstrate that quality medicines could be produced in Ghana.
Mr Varia said although the exact value of the donated products was difficult to determine because the items varied in value, the total value was estimated at GH¢5,000.
He said some of the syrup products were bulky and constituted relatively high-value items.
“We are in health care, so definitely we want people to know that quality medication is being made in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Varia said while people could continue to import medicines, there was a need to build confidence in locally manufactured pharmaceutical products.
He added that the company would welcome feedback from beneficiaries on the quality and effectiveness of the medicines provided.
Ernest Chemists
For his part, the Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager of Ernest Chemists Limited, Clement Atagra, said supporting the Graphic annual free health screening had become an annual practice for the company.
He said the company believed that health was fundamental to the well-being of society and, therefore, considered it important to support initiatives that extended healthcare services to vulnerable communities.
Mr Atagra said although Ernest Chemist might not be able to reach every part of the country directly, supporting organisations such as GCGL to undertake medical outreaches provided an avenue to contribute to healthcare delivery.
He said the company remained committed to providing quality and affordable medicines and was pleased to make such products accessible to beneficiaries of the screening.
The Graphic annual free health screening has over the years provided residents of Adabraka and surrounding communities with access to medical care at no cost.
Medical doctors and other healthcare professionals are expected to provide consultations and treatment for common illnesses, while partner organisations will provide specialised services in dentistry, eye care and laboratory testing.
The exercise is aimed at encouraging routine health checks and supporting the early detection of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, which can be managed more effectively when diagnosed early.
It also seeks to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing health care, particularly for vulnerable residents who may have limited access to regular health services.
Donations received
An Assistant Corporate Communications Officer of GCGL, Yvonne Dasoberi, received the health products on behalf of the company at separate presentation ceremonies.
The donations will support the provision of healthcare services to residents who attend this year’s screening.
The initiative forms part of GCGL’s community-focused activities aimed at promoting preventive health care and social support among members of the public.
