Vodafone Ghana Foundation, the charitable arm of telecom operator, Vodafone Ghana, has launched its first ever health initiative ‘HealthFest’, aimed at providing free quality health care to people in deprived communities in the country.
The year-long event, which was launched over the weekend in Jamestown, Accra is in line with the Foundation’s long-term commitment to improve the lives of people in deprived communities. The HealthFest train will make stops in nine other regions.
The initiative is in partnership with the National Blood Bank, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and DKT International. In addition to the free medical screening, Vodafone and its partners are working with a team of doctors who will give free medical advice and medication for some specific diseases. Additionally, the company has created a Gym and Aerobics section to promote healthy lifestyle and wellbeing.
Commenting on the ground-breaking initiative, the Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Ghana, Haris Broumidis, said: “We want to create a health project that will benefit people in various communities and improve lives. At Vodafone, we are passionate about championing health issues. We remain committed to giving back to our operational areas. ”
Since its establishment in 2009, 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.
In 2013, the Foundation spent over GHS2 million on key projects which are delivering sustainable benefits to Ghanaians particularly in the health and education sectors. The Foundation has also introduced HealthLine 255, the first medical call centre in the sub-region to provide advice to millions of Ghanaians on health issues.
From: Vodafone Ghana