NSB celebrates International Elders’ Day
View(s):The National Savings Bank, Borella, celebrated International Elders’ Day on October 1 in a novel manner, by inviting all the senior citizens who are account holders to attend a lecture on ‘Health for Senior Citizens’ by Dr Sriani Basnayake, former Medical Director of the Family Planning Association (FPA).
A blood test being done
The programme was initiated by the NSB’s Borella branch Manager, Nelun Karunasekera.
In her lecture, Dr. Basnayake stressed the importance of senior citizens getting regular medical check-ups and not waiting till they get ill to consult a doctor. She invited the participants to heed her advice and get a full medical examination at the FPA.
The FPA conducts Well Woman Clinics and Men’s Health Clinics daily at its headquarters on Buller’s Lane, Colombo 7 and people can get their heart, lungs, abdomen, breast examination, blood and urine tests done as a part of this package, for a nominal fee.
The FPA Medical Director, Dr. Sumithra Tissera, meanwhile, arranged for those who attended the NSB Programme, to have this full package free of charge, as part of the FPA’s corporate social responsibility initiative.
Many seniors who made use of the opportunity and attended the FPA clinic were examined and counselled by Dr. Tissera. Those who needed abdominal and vaginal scans were also provided these tests free of charge.
While many commended this example of two leading institutions complementing each other in their corporate social responsibilities, one said this was a very useful service.
“If I had to get this done at a private hospital I would have had to spend a lot of money. I got all this done free,” he added.