By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The remote community of Ogombo, tucked away around Ajah axis came alive recently, when the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, under the aegis of Rotary Club International brought to their doorsteps free medical healthcare programme.
The medical outreach which was held at the Ogombo Healthcare Centre, tagged ‘Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD)’ was in partnership with Chike Okoli Foundation, Rotary Family Health Days.
Remarkably, the health centre was a beehive of activities as people turned out in their droves from in and around the community. The programme featured various free medical services such as health screening, eye screening and medication, distribution of reading glasses, polio immunization and glucose level screening.
Children were not left out as they were also given de-worming medication while young girls went home with sanitary pads. The medics and assisting hands were busy all through the day, as patients besieged the venue seeking for medical health check.
Rotary Club president, Mike Jaga said that the programme is an annual event and their own way of giving back to the community.
In his words, “when the people are healthy, the nation is healthy. In Rotary Club, people’s healthcare is one of our cardinal areas of focus. It is our topmost priority. We are passionate about people’s welfare. We desire to build and sustain a valuable healthcare programme for our people. With what we are doing here today, we have created awareness for the people to know their health status and provided solution to their health challenges.”
“With the current economic realities, especially in the health and medication, we know how difficult it has become for people, especially the poor, elderly and children to access medical assistance now.
“Times are really tough. So, it has become imperative that we must lend helping hand to assist and provide medical assistance to those who cannot readily afford it in the rural communities. We are happy with the turnout. It is an impressive outing.”
Program Coordinator, Chike Okoli Foundation, Obiageli Adimachukwu, said that the medical outreach resonates with the ideals and vision of the foundation. “It is an annual programme where free medical services are offered to patients. You can see children are being de-wormed. Young girls who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads for their monthly periods are being given these items free.
“At Chike Okoli Foundation, we care about the welfare of the people. That is why the Foundation collaborates with Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, annually to do it. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
In appreciation of the programme, a beneficiary, Mrs. Arowole Sikiratu commended the organisation for the initiative and promised to use the drugs being given as prescribed. She expressed satisfaction at the way patients were attended, and noted that the programme has helped to awaken her knowledge of her health status.
Another beneficiary, Taibat Kolawole, said her two little children have benefitted from the de-worming programme and promised to continue afterwards. She thanked the organizers for bringing free healthcare programme to the community.
Also, Kunle Oduyeye said that he was not aware of his health status as he thought that it was only when one is admitted in the hospital that he is mandated to check it. He thanked the people for their benevolence.