By Joan Odafe

No fewer than 3,000 residents of Lagos State, particularly in the Ikate community, on Wednesday benefitted from a free medical mission in the area.

The mission, organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) and Oba Saheed Elegushi Foundation, covered checkups for diseases including hypertension, diabetes, different types of cancer and gynaecological issues.

Other services included, glaucoma, cataract, hernia, gallbladder surgeries, and training for medical personnel to enable them improve on their skills.

The National Treasurer of ANPA, Dr Lanre Jimoh, said the aim of the mission was to have a kind of multi-specialty hospital, targeted at prevention, treatment and training for medical personnel, who will continue treating patients, after the programme.

He added that though ANPA carries out missions in Nigeria annually, this event was special because it marked the association’s 30th Anniversary.

Jimoh, who is also a Gastroenterologist in Charlotte, USA, said: “We’ve done missions for many, many years now. So, over time, we’ve continued to find ways to not just come and then go, and then forget about all the people we took care of.

“That’s why we have partners, there’s continuity, and also with technology, we’re able to do a lot of these follow-ups virtually.”

He said with the help of collaboration, the association was able to carry out about 65 glaucoma surgeries and about 200 cataract surgeries.

Jimoh disclosed that the association had plans to establish its presence in Nigeria, rather than coming for missions alone.

The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the mission, which was planned for nearly nine months, is one of the first of its kind outside the United States.

According to him, a medical team from Andorra had been on ground, conducting surgeries, training sessions, and transferring medical capacity to local practitioners.

“We’re building a very close relationship with them now because we believe that Lagos is ripe and ready for a massive influx of brain game in the medical profession.

“We are beginning to set the environment into one that is receptive to our brothers and our sisters that are in the American community,” he said.

The Traditional Ruler of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, said that health was an important aspect of an individual’s life, and should not be trivialised.

Elegushi acknowledged the immense contributions of ANPA, and urged residents to take advantage of the free medical mission.

Also, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said ANPA’s medical mission had been constant with so much impact.

“We all know that even in America, 70 per cent of black doctors are Nigerians and I know that through you, medical tourism out of Nigeria will be a thing of the past,” she said.

Dr Funmi Ige, President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State branch, enlightened the women about breast and cervical cancer, instructing them on what to look out for during breast self examinations.

Ige said some sinister signs of cervical cancer to look out for were bleeding for post-menopausal women.

Others include bleeding after sexual intercourse or between menstruation.

She urged women to go for regular mammograms and cervical screenings.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Enitan Ipade, expressed joy at the opportunity her family had, to receive medical treatment, including a dental check-up, and medications for free.

She praised ANPA and the Elegushi Foundation, also urging Nigerians to take issues concerning their health seriously.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 137 registered and vetted providers, including doctors, surgeons, anaesthesiologists, were part of the medical team of ANPA.

Other groups such as MWAN, Lagos branch; Rotary Club and the Taiwanese Medical Association, also lent support to the team. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran