Stabex International Uganda has partnered with Prudential Uganda and Nsambya Hospital to bring free health screening, wellness awareness and insurance information closer to motorists and communities through selected Stabex service stations across the country.
The partnership will see selected Stabex stations transformed into wellness points where members of the public can access complimentary health services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, body mass index (BMI) assessments, eye screening, reading glasses and health counselling.
The initiative is expected to run over the next two weeks, with the partners targeting 20 stations, including 15 in Kampala and five outside the capital, while Stabex says the programme could eventually be extended to more of its than 250 stations countrywide.
Speaking at the launch, Stabex International Uganda General Manager Justus Kiptoo said the initiative was intended to ensure the company’s role goes beyond providing energy solutions.
“We are extending to our customers and all our partners to ensure that beyond offering energy solutions to our customers, we are also taking care of these customers of ours and their well-being,” Kiptoo said.
He said Stabex was partnering with hospitals and insurance companies to check on the welfare of both its customers and staff.
“The reason we are here today is so that we are able to check on the health status of all our customers and staff,” he added.
Kiptoo said the partnership is expected to expand across the company’s network.
“Stabex International Uganda is an oil and marketing company that has over 250 stations across the country in Uganda,” he said.
“This partnership, we are expecting it to run across all our stations in the country. But we will be updating our customers as time goes on where exactly the date and the time where we should enjoy these services.” He urged customers and staff to take advantage of the screenings, saying regular health checks were important.
“We really want to urge our customers and staff to participate since it’s important to check on your health status every time,” Kiptoo said.
Dr Ritah Nazziwa, Deputy Director Clinical Services at Nsambya Hospital said the partnership was about promoting preventive healthcare by bringing medical services closer to communities before illnesses develop into crises.
“If you could prevent a disease from becoming a crisis to your family and to your financial pockets, what would you do?” Nazziwa asked.
She said simple checks such as blood pressure, BMI and eye examinations could help identify health risks early.
“Just taking your blood pressure today is going to prevent you from getting a stroke in the future, and just even doing your BMI, knowing your weight and height today can prevent you from having diabetes, and a simple eye check-up today might prevent you from having permanent blindness,” she said.
Nazziwa also highlighted the importance of early cancer screening, noting that cancer can affect people across different age groups.
“Cancers are in every family today, and cancer no longer has a pattern. Centuries ago, it was associated with the elderly, but now, even the young are affected by cancer,” she said.
“Anyone can get cancer. But if you did a check-up early, cancer is treatable.”
She said the initiative would provide complimentary screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI and eye health, together with health education from medical professionals.
“This is not just a mere show of solidarity and companies working together, but it’s about the future of Ugandans, it’s about the future of our families,” Nazziwa said.
She described the partnership as an opportunity to take healthcare beyond hospital walls and meet people within their communities.
“Taking health out of the boundaries of walls to where the communities can easily access is a good initiative our companies are doing today. We must meet people where they are, whenever we can, so that we can drive health,” she said.
Nazziwa also linked preventive healthcare to financial security, warning that delayed treatment can place a heavy financial burden on families.
“A healthy life can encourage financial stability. If that disease came today that you didn’t prevent, it’s going to take up all the finances you’ve ever thought about,” she said.
She urged the public to act on information obtained from health screenings.
“Do not be afraid to know your numbers, to know your BP number, to know your weight, to know your health results. It may save you. And if something is not right, do something about it,” Nazziwa said.
Paul Ochwoni Nagemi, Chief Health Officer at Prudential Uganda, said the partnership was built around the idea of identifying health risks before they become serious problems.
“Protecting people should begin before something goes wrong,” Nagemi said. He compared regular health checks to routine vehicle maintenance, noting that motorists often monitor their vehicles more closely than their own health.
“Most of us are quite disciplined when it comes to our cars. We check the oil, we check the tyres. You watch the fuel gauge when you’re driving,” he said.
“Yet, when it comes to our health, many of us behave differently. We feel fine, so we assume everything is fine, which is not the case all the time.”
Nagemi said selected Stabex service stations would become wellness points where members of the public can access medical screening from Nsambya Hospital professionals.
He said the services would include blood pressure screening, blood sugar tests, BMI assessments, health counselling and eye examinations.
According to Nagemi, Prudential’s participation is rooted in the link between health and financial protection.
“Illness does not affect health alone. It affects income, savings, families, and plans people have worked so hard to build over the years,” he said.
“While insurance provides financial protection when unexpected events happen, we also believe in helping people identify risks early, make informed decisions before those risks become bigger problems.”
Nagemi said each partner brings a different strength to the initiative, with Stabex providing its station network and community reach, Nsambya Hospital offering medical expertise and Prudential providing insurance and financial protection.
He encouraged both Stabex customers and other members of the public to make use of the free screenings.
“Take advantage of this opportunity of complimentary screenings over the next two weeks. Stop at one of the participating Stabex outlets, take a few minutes to check your health as well,” he said.
“After all, we spend a great deal of time making sure that our cars are fit for the journey. We should pay the same attention to the person behind the wheel.”
Stabex International Uganda Public Relations representative Shedrack Chebet said the initiative demonstrates the impact that can be created when companies work together.
“CSR cannot be done alone by a company. It would make more sense if it would be done by a group of organizations,” Chebet said.
He said the three partners had brought together fuel, healthcare and insurance under one initiative.
“When you see Prudential, when you see Stabex International, when you see Nsambya Hospital, it gives you a different touch of fitness. Fuel, health and coverage,” he said.
Chebet said the initial programme would cover 20 stations, including 15 in Kampala and five outside Kampala, with further details on the participating stations to be communicated to the public.
He said members of the public would be guided through wellness checks at the stations.
“You go there, you get guided on what to check on. But first and foremost, we want to begin by fueling at the station. After fueling, are your eyes okay? Are your eyes guaranteed that you’ll reach Mbarara, you’ll reach Arua?” Chebet said.
“That is where Nsambya Hospital comes in. So, Prudential comes in to cover.” The partners said the campaign is intended to encourage Ugandans to move from seeking treatment after illness develops to embracing regular screening and preventive healthcare.
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