Residents defy rain to attend free healthcare service
By Olamilekan FAWAS
Residents of Surulere in Lagos on Sunday turned out for the “Stay Alive” free healthcare medical service sponsored by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in spite of heavy rain downpour.
TBI Africa correspondent who monitored the programme reports that residents came in their thousands under rain to benefits from the two days free healthcare service which will end today by 4pm.
The free healthcare medical check up service was sponsored by the EKEDC in partnership with the Arrive Alive Diagnosis Hospital and Labakcare organisation for residents of Surulere community in Lagos,
Some of the attendees, who spoke on the development, commended the organisers of the programme, while urging government at all levels to initiate such programme for less privileged.
A Sixty-five-year-old, Mrs Monsurat Fasasi, retired civil servant, auded the programme and urged other private and public companies that could do same to imbibed such gesture.
” I was asked to do a scan of N8,000 when l went to LUTH which l don’t have money to do but today, l was given free healthcare service, drugs and they even gave me 20 per cent diacont on the scan.
“I am indeed happy and grateful to the people that put this together. I am not happy that the programme is closing today.
“More people want to come and may can still benefit from tye programme if extended.
Mrs Rotimi Fashina, 62, a trader, who participated in the free medical healthcare programme, commended the effort, while calling for a consistent medical intervention from government.
Mrs Laide Thompson, a mother who brought her children for the service expressed appreciation for been part if the beneficiaries of the initiative.
Thompson, who appealed to the organiser to make the programme at once in a year, so that residents can benefit from such free services annually.
“We will be grateful because we are really in need of this kind of medical attention in Surulere and most of us can not afford it.
The beneficiary, while commending the organisers, also prayed that the programme remained consistent.
Similarly, Alhaji Raman Saheed, retired security personnel, 67 years who benefitted from eyes and knees programme at the centre also commended the organiser’s efforts to reach out to the people with health challenges.
“This is a big one and we are truly appreciative and happy, “Saheed said.
One of the volunteers, Dr Omolabake Jinadu- Fadeyibi, Founder of Labakcare organisation, said the non-governmental organisation based in United States commenced free medical healthcare service since 2006.
Jinadu-Fadeyibi said that the company and the management decided to contribute their quota to the well-being of Nigerians as true patriotic citizens to the country by offering the free healthcare services to less privileged.
She urged government to ensure free healthcare service at all levels of the communities, adding that the less privileged need to be taken care of.
Also, the Consultant Pathologist, Dr Samuel Keshinro of Arrive Alive Diagnostics Hospital, said over 2,000 residents were already attanded to between Saturday and Sunday
The participants were seen attended to as at the time of filing the report.
Keshinro said that the project was to give free health check service to residents of Surulere, adding that the project also included adults and children of all age group.
According to him, Stay Alive Project is an initiative of Labakcare Organisation, Arrive Alive Diagnostics & Imaging Services Ltd., fully supported by Eko Electricity Distribution Company and VFD MicroFinance Bank.
“Stay Alive is a community-oriented free health programme focussed on preventive care and screening for common ailments within our environment.
“This project will be manned by local and international healthcare professionals who will be on ground to screen and treat some identified medical conditions.
“They include hypertension, diabetes, eye conditions, malaria, worm infestation, nutritional deficiencies, common cancers of the cervix, breast and prostate and many more.
“The project also aims at improving the health status of the underserved by offering focussed health talks, as well as distribution of foods, vitamin supplements, reading glasses and baby delivery kits to the pregnant women.
In his remarks, Its General Manger, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia said the guesture was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards given back to the society where they operates.
Idemudia said that management of EKEDC had decided to support the free health check to the community as part of its corporate obligations in ensuring that its valued customers and Nigerians stay alive to tell their stories.
He said that the company was overwhelmed with the turnout of residents at the programme, in spite the heavy down pour, adding that EKEDC will continue to support such programme in the future as part of it’s CSR initiative.
” We says patients are given free drugs, vitamins, prescriptions, medical observations, Scan and 20 pee cent discount was also given to patients who needs a major diagnosis.
” We also observed that patients from various hospitals both government and other private hospital were in attendance as feeding was also provided for children and aged people.
