As Ecobank Day was celebrated across 33 African countries in which it operates on Saturday, the Zimbabwe arm honoured the day by providing free health promotion services for Budiriro residents.
This year’s edition was held under the theme “Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in African Countries”, and was meant to draw public attention to their prevention and treatment.
Speaking at the event, Ecobank Zimbabwe Managing Director Mr Moses Kurenjekwa lamented the rate at which lives are being lost due to NCDs globally and the threat they are posing to developing African countries.
“Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are at the forefront of healthcare threats globally and in developing countries like Zimbabwe. NCDs kill about 41 million people between the ages of 30 and 70 years each year,” he said.
He applauded the support rendered by Rapha Healthcare and other partners saying health care is of paramount importance and demands assistance from skilled personnel.
“We are proud to have partners with the specialist medical skills to help further the Bank’s ambitions in preventing NCDs in our communities,” Mr Kurenjekwa said.
Budidiro residents received free health checks, education and screenings on NCDs and a noble donation of equipment to assist in the fight against NCDs which will be distributed to the various clinics in Budiriro and it comprised Diabetes, Sugar and blood Pressure test kits
Ecobank Day is a special day set aside every year by Ecobank Group, for management and staff of the bank to embark on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities that impact its immediate environment and people.
The primary focus this year was to raise awareness on NCDs. NCDs refer to chronic diseases which are not passed from person to person. The main types are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks or strokes), all cancers, respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma); diabetes; and mental and neurological health conditions (including depression and dementia).
NCDs are already the leading cause of death worldwide and the number of cases is growing rapidly across Africa.