No fewer than 300 members of Abadina community in the University of Ibadan (UI), have received free medical services and welfare materials to complement the government’s efforts.
The outreach was organized by the Students Christian Movement (SCM) UI Alumni Fellowship, in collaboration with Jason Health Organization Incorporation.
NAN reports that the free medical services included Malaria test, Hepatitis B test, Blood pressure Check, Blood Sugar Test and Deworming among others with free medication.
The Fellowship President,
Pastor Lanipekun Lawal, said that, as graduates of the university, the group thought it wise to give back to a community in its alma mater.
Lawal said that due to the prevailing economic hardship, most people were unable to access basic healthcare services, which he said, was germane to their overall health.
“Healthcare is core, though, it has not received the needed attention. So, we are given our token to support the efforts of the government.
“We use this opportunity to call on various agencies of the government, saddled with the responsibility of people’s welfare, to rise to the occasion and live up to their responsibilities, because things are very difficult,” he said.
Also, Mr Lambert Israel, Human Resource, Jason Health Organization Incorporation, said that government needed to do more to improve care at the primary healthcare centres to cater for the needs of the populace.
Israel said the organization had been partnering and collaborating to ensure that people, especially those in remote communities, have access to quality healthcare and know their vital signs.
In her remarks, Mrs Wuraola Olugbenga, a Pharmacist and Vice President of the Alumni Fellowship, said the outreach was part of the yearly association’s reunion program tagged: “Awareness”.
Olugbenga said that it was organized to meet the needs of members of the community in Abadina and to also assist them holistically; body, soul and spirit.
Also, Dr Oluseyi Odunsi, the Treasurer of the association; Mr Joseph Adetuberu, Assistant Coordinator, South-South; and Mr Paul Ajibola, President, SCM UI Campus Fellowship; stressed the need for people to know their basic vital signs through regular checks along side good nutrition, in view of the nation’s economic challenges.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Paul Odafe, thanked the organisers, saying that the outreach was an answer to the prayers of many people in the community.
Also, Dr Lewis Nwokocha, a senior friend of SCM UI Alumni Fellowship, said that awareness was key in reducing disease burden in Nigeria, which he said SCM had started doing.
Nwokocha urged people to go for things that would improve their health for them to remain healthy.
