By Sairat Shekoni/Grace Alegba
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Freedom Court Parish, Idi-Araba, on Saturday took its medical outreach to Surulere area of Lagos with various health experts attending to different ailments.
The programme, organised by RCCG in partnership with Medplus Pharmacy, was tagged “Deliberate Acts of Kindness in Nations (DAKIN) Medical Outreach”, and held at Oretedo community, off Banire, Surulere.
Dentists, physiotherapists, general practitioners and other medical experts treated members of the community who trooped out for the programme.
Pastor Abiodun Famojuro, in charge of RCCG Freedom Court Parish, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the outreach was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme of the church.
Famojuro said it was also a form of evangelism to demonstrate the love and light of Jesus Christ to residents.
“What we have here is what we call deliberate acts of kindness in nations. This is our CSR project. We brought medical expression to all our people here in this Banire/Oretedo community.
“We have dentists, physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians and others.
“It is our way of giving back to our community, we are just at Idi Araba and we know that affordable medical care is one of the greatest challenges that Nigerians are confronted with.
“We have brought it to be a blessing to them, to help them, support them and also to share the light of Jesus with them, but first and foremost to be a blessing to them directly,” he said.
He said the church was doing the outreach in partnership with Medplus and the programme would not be one off but continuous.
Mr Emeka Nnamani, RCCG’s Head of Outreach, said the programme demonstrated unity and love of Christ.
Nnamani said he was happy that the community were friendly and accepted the gesture, promising that the programme would be sustained in the environs.
Mr Adeoye Oyerinde, representative of Medplus, said the partnership was the brand’s way of also giving back, while thanking both the church and the community for the opportunity to serve.
Oyerinde said apart from outright treatment of ailments and free medication, the firm also seized the opportunity to encourage prevention by offering various vaccines at subsidised rates to reduce disease burden in communities.
Dr Durojaye Oluwafemi, one of the outreach doctors, said preventive medicine was important, hence the blood pressure, sugar and other checks of vitals, to ensure silent killer diseases were detected early and nipped in the bud.
“We are happy for the high turnout of the community,” he said.
Mr Kayode Shangodipe, a resident who benefited from the health screening, joined several others who spoke with NAN to commend the kindness of the church.
He, alongside others, prayed for God’s blessings on the church and its partners, urging other wealthy Nigerians and groups to do the same for host communities. (NAN)
