…as beneficiaries laud initiative
By Precious Oham
The House of Representatives member, representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, Hon Akin Rotimi, has launched a free medical outreach programme aimed at providing free healthcare services to his constituents.
The two-day medical mission which is for selected communities in Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal constituency, began on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Ikole-Ekiti in collaboration with Inditex Global Services Ltd and the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Ekiti State Chapter.
Speaking with newsmen, the House of Representatives Spokesperson said the free medical outreach is targeted for over 4000 constituents which is expected to cater for patients with various health issues, providing them with free drugs and necessary recommendations.
His words: “We have had several missions in the past, both on a small scale and then something that is as extensive as this. The last medical mission we had, we saw about 4000 people and we had close to 500 surgeries.
“This time around, we thought that before the year ends, let’s try to help as many constituents as possible. Because, you cannot properly plan for 2025 if the person is sick, if the person has one ailment or the other.
“So, we are giving people the opportunity to be able to go into 2025 on a strong and healthier foot. You can see the have consultations, we are doing health talks, health checks, throughout today in Ikole.
Tomorrow, we are also doing the same thing in Oye and on Wednesday, those of them that need one surgery or the other types of referrals, we are also going to be able to cater to.
“And for some of them, we’ve also be able to pay their hospital bills so they can go home and be with their families for Christmas. So that’s essentially what we are just doing because we believe that government should be meaningful to the people. We shouldn’t just be in Abuja, it should be meaningful.
“People should be able to feel the presence especially this time that we are making very tough but difficult decisions as a country, that has caused a lot of contraction of the economy. People are going through a whole lot. But we believe that as much as possible in our power, we should help our people.”
On his part, the NMA Chairman in Ekiti State, Oreyemi Ifedayo revealed that the NMA would offer minor surgical operations to the beneficiaries that require it.
According to him, “whether it is diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, whether they have any chronic illness as well, we will see them. General consultation as well as specific and specialized consultation, ophthalmological services, ear, nose and throat services, pediatric care as well as obstetrics and gynaecological care all during the period that we will be seeing them.
“While we are doing it, some people that will require minor surgical operations like hyenas, lumps in any part of their body. Those people will be seen and screened be attended to on Wednesday at both centers in Ikole as well as Oye.”
Some of the beneficiaries lauded the Reps member for the initiative while calling on others to emulate the kind gesture of the Reps Spokesperson.
According to Ilesanmi Olawunmi, “I am happy to receive the free healthcare services. May God uplift the convener.
No one will not have happiness for this opportunity as it’s a means to getting a better health.”
Also, Mrs Olayerogbohun Modupe from ward 2 in Ikole West commended the medical team comprising the experienced doctors and healthcare professionals, who attended to patients and provided them with quality medical care within the scheduled period.
Highlights of the free medical outreach includes; minor surgical procedures, general consultations, distribution of free eye glasses, deworming of children, free scan and consultation for pregnant women.
Others include; free dental/eye check up, free blood pressure and blood sugar check, hepatitis screening, free drugs, free family planning counseling, health talks and interactive sessions etc.
