West Africa Cotton (WACOT) Limited, one of the leading agricultural input base companies in Nigeria, has step up its corporate social responsibility activities in Katsina.
The CSR activities of the company entails the establishment of free health camps that has provided free medical treatments to over 268 farmers in the two local governments of Malumfashi and Funtua, in the state.
Facts obtained by BusinessDay reveal that the free health check included general medical examinations as well as provision of free drugs for diagnosed diseases.
Subir Kumar Dey, general manager of the company, who spoke while presiding over the commencement of the scheme, said that programme was conceived as a way of giving back to the society.
He disclosed that the Free Health Camps initiative was the first of its kind to be embarked upon by the company, and is out to compliment healthcare services being rendered by the various tiers of governments in the state.
“The free health check-up camps were organised in conjunction with Cotton Farmers Cooperatives Societies in the local communities in the two Local Governments of Malumfashi and Funtua, respectively, as a way to assist the less privilege members of the society.
“We are glad to inform Nigerians that no less than 268 individuals in the two local governments have so far benefited from the free medical treatments provided at the camps,” he stated.
Anuuji Bhatia, head, corporate responsibility and sustainability, in his address at the occasion, told the gathering that the company would continue to support the people of the area, especially it farming community.
He said that the management of the company is optimistic that the initiative will impact on the productivity of the benefiting farmers, as well as people residing in the two LGAs.
“This programme was conceived with the primary aim of impacting on the health need of farmers in these communities, who are our partners in progress. Apart from the free medical camps, we also intend embarking on training programme, and other forms of capacity development for them,” Bhatia added.
Adeola Ajakaiye
