By Oluwaseun Nubi
No fewer than 524 residents of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State on Monday benefited from a free healthcare outreach organised by the council.
The Chairman of the LCDA, Mr Hammed Aroyewun, made this known during the second edition of the outreach held at Oreyo Grammar School, Igbogbo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach, tagged Optimal Wellness, provided beneficiaries with free medical consultations and treatment.
The programme also featured blood pressure and blood sugar checks, Hepatitis B screening, eye examinations, prescription of eyeglasses for eligible participants, health counselling and referral services.
The chairman said the initiative was part of his administration’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to residents, particularly those at the grassroots.
Aroyewun said healthcare remained a basic necessity that should be available to every resident, irrespective of economic status.
“Healthcare is not a privilege reserved for a few. It is a fundamental necessity that every resident deserves access to.
“Our goal is to ensure that no member of our community is denied basic healthcare because of financial limitations or lack of access,” he said.
The chairman said the outreach had continued to record an impressive turnout, with more than 1,500 residents benefiting from the programme since its inception.
According to him, no fewer than 1,000 residents benefited from the maiden edition held in Zone 1, while 524 residents benefited from the second edition in Zone 2.
He assured residents that the programme would continue as a monthly intervention under the council’s GLORY Agenda.
Aroyewun said plans were underway to extend the initiative to all communities within the LCDA.
He also urged residents to embrace preventive healthcare through regular medical check-ups and healthy lifestyle practices.
Also speaking, Prof. Nurudeen Oshinlaja, Director-General of the Ona Ogo Movement, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), described the initiative as a practical demonstration of people-centred governance.
Oshinlaja said the outreach formed part of broader efforts by the administration to improve residents’ welfare.
“The health outreach is only one component of a broader vision to improve the quality of life of our people.
“More interventions are being developed to address other critical areas affecting households within our communities,” he said.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with NAN commended the council for the initiative.
Mrs Ifeoluwa Adebola, a trader, said the programme provided an opportunity for residents to access healthcare services at no cost.
“I received medical attention, underwent some tests and got useful health advice free of charge.
“This is a commendable initiative and I hope it continues,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Rasheed Ogunleye, a resident of Igbogbo, said the outreach had helped many residents who could not afford routine medical examinations.
“Many people rarely visit hospitals because of the cost. Programmes like this help us know our health status and receive treatment early,” he said.
NAN reports that medical personnel at the outreach attended to residents across different age groups and provided referrals for cases requiring specialised medical attention. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Chinyere Omeire