Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has gone a demonstrable mile, offering primary health services to employees at a surprising $4 by partnering with local health care service providers. These services are offered in branded clinics within their premises.

This isn’t for everyone though as other customers must part with $40 for the same services.

According to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) management, the program is aimed at making a difference within the society where the organization operates. They are doing this in consideration of the many employees who suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension who frequent the clinics.

A Wal-Mart U.S. senior director, Jennifer LaPerre, who’s overseeing the rollout of this program, said that they are focused on roping in services that are of relevance to their customers and partners.

“We wanted to be able to monitor and manage and control price. We wanted to be able to focus on a scope of services that were meaningful to our customers and associates,” LaPerre said.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is this year sanctioning a number of such Healthcare Clinics as part of its pilot program. LaPerre was already in Carrollton, Georgia, to oversee the opening of the ninth Wal-Mart Care Clinic. This year will be a hallmark in determining the efficacy of the program and will be focused on such conditions as diabetes and hypertension.

The revelation that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) expects an increase of up to $500 million in healthcare costs this year is believed to be a driving force behind their co-payment of basic health services. This program can in essence help Wal-Mart to massively cut down on its healthcare expenses on its employees.

It’s also believed that it’s a strategy for Wal-Mart to have higher traffic milling into their premises. This is expected to result in more customers purchasing from them as a result of efficiency or social reasons.

This article has been written by Victor Ochieng.

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