At Int’l Credit Union Day: Rainbow Cam provides free healthcare to members, public.

Celebrated every 3^rd Thursday of October, the 2024 edition was observed under the theme: "One world through cooperative finance".

During this year's celebration, Rainbow Cam organised free screening for some diseases including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, diabetes and others.

The free screening took place Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17, at branches of affiliates in Bamenda like Ntarinkon Cooperative Credit Union, NtaCCUL, Bafut Cooperative Credit Union, BafCCUL, and at the NtaCCUL branch office at Up Station.

It was opened to members and also to the entire public. Residents who took part in the exercise received free screening, counseling and referrals for those tested positive.

The International Credit Union Day, it was disclosed, is usually celebrated by credit unions globally by coming together to celebrate their members, and promoting the values of trust, community and mutual understanding.

Boosting financial stability of members 

According to the General Manager of Rainbow Cam, Bih Rose Fru, this year's celebration was “special because we are giving back to society, through the wellbeing of members”.

Bih Rose Fru added that it is their wish that members and the population should live healthy. This to her will boost their financial stability.

"Cooperate social responsibility is a key aspect of cooperatives. We don't want to concentrate on the financial aspect and forget about the social wellbeing of our members and the public. We want to make sure that our members are fit and well, because if you have a sick membership, your financial growth is going to be affected," Bih Rose said.

Bih Rose Fru also revealed that the free screening was opened to the public as a strategy to have more members registered, as they come for screening.

NtaCCUL GM hails Rainbow Cam 

During the activities to celebrate this year's International Credit Union Day, the most venerated General Manager of Ntarinkon Cooperative Credit Union, NtaCCUL, Ade Muma Divine, and other beneficiaries, appreciated the gesture from Rainbow Cam.

Ade Muma Divine described the initiative as a laudable one which gives more reason why NtaCCUL should remain under Rainbow Cam.

"You can see from this idea of free screening on this International Credit Union Day that Rainbow Cam cares about the welfare of its members. They think that it should not only be about money, but looking at the health of members. We want to thank Rainbow Cam for this wonderful idea. The poor who don't have money to go to the hospital can benefit from this," Ade Muma said.

Ade Muma Divine also revealed that NtaCCUL is the biggest and best well managed credit union in the CEMAC Subregion, thanks to advice they always receive from Rainbow Cam.

The free screening was also appreciated by members and the population who stopped by to benefit from the services. According to Numfor Samuel, the initiative has saved the money he was supposed to use at the hospital.

"I appreciate Rainbow Cam for these free tests. The last time I went to the hospital, I spent a lot of money on these tests, but I have done them today for free. I want to thank Rainbow Cam for this because it has preserved my money," Numfor said.

In 2023, Rainbow Cam commemorated International Credit Union Day with students in the financial sector in the University of Bamenda, and those of the National Polytechnic University Institute of Bambui.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3263 of Friday October 18, 2024