By Kenneth Onuoha
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has conducted free medical screening on over 210 residents of Awkunanaw community, Enugu State, for diabetes and other related illnesses.
The outreach, which took place between December 8 and 9, 2020, included blood pressure check, blood sugar tests, Body Mass Index (BMI) status, as well as general health counselling and free diabetes and hypertension drugs, among others.
Emeka Ezeh, EEDC’s Head of Communications, said the event was the company’s way of giving back to the society as part of its CSR.
“EEDC genuinely cares for the wellbeing and welfare of its customers; and we have selected a community where we feel most of the people might not have the resources to do regular medical check-up.
“As part of our end of year activities, we organised the outreach to re-emphasis the company’s desire to continue to care for its esteemed customers.
“The company targeted diabetes and its related illnesses; since diabetes is a dangerous silent killer and most times people suffering it might not know they have ‘the silent killer’ in them,’’ he said.
Dr Uchenna Nnajekwu, the team leader of EEDC free medical outreach, revealed that more than 30 per cent of those screened have hypertension and about 10 per cent among them did not even know that they are hypertensive before their screening.
Nnajekwu noted that a lot of residents having diabetes and hypertension had stopped taking their drugs, adding that we have to advise them on the need to continue to take their drugs daily and be faithful with it.
According to her, “diabetes and hypertensive drugs are life-long medications; at times they may need adjustments, as prescribed by the doctor but not total abandonment.
`”I will advise that they do regular medical check-up; if possible buy diabetes and hypertensive check kits; and for those that cannot afford the kits, visit nearby pharmacy or patent medicine shops to do their check/screening.
“They should eat healthy with a lot of vegetables and fruits; while reducing starchy food as much as possible. Our people should also engage in regular exercise to keep fit,’’ he said.
A beneficiary of the outreach, Mrs Chinwe Oranye, lauded the EEDC for the initiative, adding; “this singular benevolence to our people in Awkunanaw will definitely reduce the health burden of the people.
“I was screened free-of-charge and I later got some packs of hypertension drugs, which is currently expensive.
“May God continue to bless and progress EEDC for their kind gesture,’’ Oranye prayed.