SOUTH Pacific Business Development Microfinance (SI) on Thursday conducted medical checkup for its west Guadalcanal clients for the first time.
SPBD teamed up with the Ministry of Health to check its clients’ sugar level, diabetes and other diseases.
Microfinance is a financial institution that offers small loans to women and those in communities to help them go into business.
Its general manager Muralidhar Anantapur said SPBD does not only look at the financial side of things but also its clients’ welfare and health.
“We are not only helping our clients financially, but we are also care for their welfare and health status,” Mr Anantapur said.
He also stated that they were looking at rolling out their activities to other provinces.
“We established here in 2012, and we are looking forward to roll out our programs down to the provinces, by the first quarter of 2016,” Mr Anantapur said.
A team of six from the Ministry of Health that accompanied the SPBD team did medical checkups for more than 60 clients from Tamboko to Tambea, in a series of blood sugar level test, diabetes test, height measurements, and counseling.
Meanwhile, the secretary for Visale women said SPBD assisted many rural women with small loans to enter into income generating opportunities.
“Some of us just join late last year, and we are also seeing the benefits this organisations has offered us,” she said.
“We are now able to pay school fees for our kids, and meet other household needs.”
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
