Expolanka conducts health camps to celebrate World Elders Day 2015

Celebrating World Elders Day, Expolanka’s CSR arm conducted ‘Healthy Living’, a series of health camps in Maskeliya, Sedawatta, Homagama and Wattala areas for over 300 elderly citizens in collaboration with HelpAge Sri Lanka. Healthy Living program provided free health care for low income senior Citizens who required general medical checkups. 

The health camps offered patients a complete checkup and consultation services that included Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation, vision care and dietary advice. Patients were also provided with free drugs on prescription which were handed out by the consultants at the health camp.

According to World Bank predictions, the share of the elderly population over 60 years old in Sri Lanka is expected to increase from 12.5% to 16.7% in 2021. By 2041, one out of every four people is expected to be an elderly person.

Commenting on these endeavours, Expolanka’s Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications and CSR Paddy Weerasekera said: “Elders in today’s society are sometimes left to bear the inevitable burdens of their age alone with no help. Given this situation, World Elders Day is an apt occasion to lend a helping hand to our senior citizens in need. In 2014, we conducted a similar program to assist the elderly with much success and we’ve decided to maintain this as an annual event in addition to our other healthcare endeavours.”

Inspired by the idea of providing free medical consultation and subsidised drugs to patients, the Group also conducts an ongoing free healthcare program called ‘Expo Medix’ which is a fast growing chain of affordable medical clinics. Speaking about the Healthy Living program Russell Juriansz, Manager – Special Projects of HelpAge Sri Lanka said, “Looking after senior citizens is a worthy cause that all entities including corporates should consider. We are grateful to Expolanka for their support.”

Expolanka’s CSR arm conducts various CSR activities throughout the year with focus on five areas namely, health, education, environment, community development and disaster relief. Expolanka CSR projects cover a number of social needs in the country and thus establishes Expolanka as a responsible corporate.