Health
NO fewer than 1,000 residents of Surulere I and II are benefiting from a two-day free health outreach programme, courtesy Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach , now in its 10th edition, offers free health services to residents in the area.
The free health services includes; blood pressure and blood sugar checks, malaria and cholesterol tests, eye care, and dental care.
Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, told NAN that the program aimed to provide accessible healthcare services to the community.
“We are committed to providing quality healthcare services to our people, and this outreach program is a demonstration of that commitment,” Ogunyemi said.
She noted that the program had grown significantly since its inception, with increased participation from residents and sponsorship from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.
According to Ogunyemi, the outreach program is designed to cater to the health needs of vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.
“We recognize that access to healthcare can be a challenge for many people, especially in urban areas like Surulere,” Ogunyemi said.
“That’s why we’re bringing healthcare services directly to the community, to ensure that everyone has access to quality care,” she added.
The outreach program is taking place at the Surulere Local Government Area, with medical professionals providing free health services to residents.
Ogunyemi expressed gratitude to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital for sponsoring the program, and to the medical professionals who volunteered their time and expertise.
“We’re grateful for the support of our partners and the dedication of our healthcare workers.
“This outreach program is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities,” she added.
Also, Dr. Sofola Jamal, a medical house officer at Randall General Hospital, Surulere, hailed the organisers of the outreach.
He noted that there was a need to address the rising cases of hypertension in the Surulere community.
Jamal, who is participating in a free health outreach program in the area, told NAN that hypertension was among the top three health conditions affecting residents.
“From what I have seen so far, hypertension is very rampant. It’s even worse than I thought.
“People are walking in with elevated blood pressure, over 200 systolic,” Jamal said.
The medical officer attributed the high incidence of hypertension to poor health-seeking behavior among residents.
“A lot of people’s healthcare-seeking behavior is very poor. They don’t come to the hospital until it’s too late,” He said.
Jamal said the outreach has provided an opportunity to identify and address health issues at the grassroots level.
“This kind of outreach really solves a lot of problems. It gives you an idea, it maps the community and the conditions that are affecting the community,” he said.
The medical officer noted that the outreach program had also revealed a high incidence of diabetes and malaria in the community.
“Diabetes is another major issue we’re seeing. A lot of people are coming in with elevated blood sugar levels,” Jamal said.
Jamal urged residents to take advantage of the outreach program to get tested and treated for various health conditions.
The medical officer also called on other constituencies to emulate the initiative, saying it was a good way to address health issues at the community level.
The medical officer also called on other constituencies to emulate the initiative, saying it was a good way to address health issues at the community level.
“This is a free service, and we’re encouraging everyone to come out and get tested.
“Every community, every constituency can do this every three months, quarterly or biannually,” he said.
He noted that the program is part of efforts to improve access to healthcare services in the community.
Miss Deborah Oyewole, a crowd control volunteer commended the initiative, describing it as a laudable development.
Oyewole, who has been volunteering for the program for some time, told NAN that the free health services were a welcome relief for residents.
She advised other constituencies to emulate the initiative, saying it was essential to provide access to healthcare services for residents
“If you go outside, the medical expenses will cost much, but here, we are being given these services for free.
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“I know some constituencies are doing something similar, but they should do more,” Oyewole said.
According to her, the large turnout of residents at the outreach program was a testament to its importance.
“If some of these services were not really good, we wouldn’t have so much crowd,” Oyewole said.
Also speaking at the outreach, Mr. Suliamon Olanrewaju, a pensioner, commended the organisers saying it was the best healthcare initiative he had experienced in the community.
He expressed gratitude for the program, which he said had saved him and other beneficiaries from spending large sums of money on medical tests and drugs.
“I really appreciate the organizers; since I have been in this community, I have never experienced such good healthcare before, and it’s all for free.
“Instead of spending so much on tests and drugs, we have everything for free. The doctors are nice and friendly,” he said.
Mrs Aminat Adelaja , a business owner said that she appreciates the medical team on ground for the outreach.
She noted that not only were that friendly, they took their time to get details of her complains.
She, however, appealed to beneficiaries to be patient due to the large crowd.
She prayed for God’s blessings on the organizers of the program, saying it was a clear indication that the government was working for the people.
“ The doctors here are very nice and they listen attentively to me when I was giving my complains.
“It is even the doctor that was asking me of other things that I myself do not pay attention too.
“This is really a good one. So, if people are complaining that the government did not do anything, we can say we benefited from their good work and free health services,” she said.(NAN)
14th February, 2025.
C.E.
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