1,000 adults, children benefit from BOSKOH Free Healthcare Services in Lagos
RECIPIENTS AT THE BOSKOH/HMI FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN IKOTUN-IGANDO PHC, ALIMOSHO LGA
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Aug. 8, 2019 (NAN) No fewer than one thousand adults and children have benefitted from the ongoing free medical interventions tagged: “Healthy Bee’’ at the Ikotun-Igando Primary Healthcare Centre, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State.
The screening, which began on Aug. 5 and to end Aug. 10, offers services for visual and hearing problems, mental health services, orthopaedic services, like bone deformity and hernia.
It was organised by the Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and Kadiri Olusola Hamzat (BOSKOH), the state governor and deputy respectively, in conjunction with the Healthcare Mission International (HMI).
A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the centre reports that a total of 197 people were screened on the first day, out of which 60 were scheduled for various surgeries.
Also, a total of 402 turned up on the second day, with 44 slated for various surgeries, and 629 on the third day, out of which 66 received eye glasses.
Tooth extractions, scaling and polishing were also carried out for 66 people, six of the beneficiaries got referrals for further dental management.
NAN also reports that the aim of the programme is to give hope to people at the grassroots as well as alleviate medical challenges and inadequacies usually encountered when they seek medical services.
Commenting, Dr Chris Akinwale, a Steering Committee member of the Initiative, said the initiative was apt as many residents have little or no finance to access healthcare.
“A number of residents in Lagos State have many health issues, hence, the need for this initiative which will ensure medical advancement toward all.
“Solutions to sizeable health challenges identified are being hampered by financial constraints and worst still, long stretched overwhelming schedule for surgeries at the Secondary Healthcare Centres,’’ Akinwale said.
He, therefore, advised that the primary healthcare centres should be used as the front-runner of the scheme so as to reach people at the grassroots.
Also, Mr Okafor Richard, the Coordinator of HMI and BOSKOH, who lauded the mission, said the large turnout was an indication that more screening centres would be needed in future.
Richard said: “The turnout is a commendable one which suggests the opening of more screening centres in future consideration, as Alimosho has very high influx and residents living in its environment.
“The overwhelming turnout so far has indicated that if these beneficiaries were to be scheduled at secondary public facilities, they would be waiting endlessly, as a sizeable number might not be attended to till next year.’’
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Esther Adegoke, a petty trader, thanked the state government for bringing such a commendable health intervention to the grassroots.
“My child has been suffering hearing loss, a problem I noticed since she was much younger.
“I observed that whenever I call him, he would not hear or even turn.
“We have been visiting the Orile Agege facility for management, but when I heard of this intervention, I decided it’s an opportunity I should not miss.
“I am very happy that the ENT unit of this programme has taken up the case and proper treatment will now be given to him, which I cannot afford,’’ she told NAN. (NAN)
LED/VIV/GOK
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye