Kehinde Adeleye
A group of Nigerians in diaspora, the Eko Club International, says no fewer than 5,000 Lagos residents will benefit from its free medical mission in various communities.
Speaking at the flag-off of the week-long free Medical Mission at Ipaja on Sunday, Saheed Olushi, president of the club, said the programme was initiated to increase access to healthcare delivery.
Mr Olushi said the club, whose members are indigenes of Lagos state, put the programme together to complement the efforts of the state government in closing the gap of accessing quality and affordable care.
He said: “There is a massive gap in accessing public health services in Lagos and the country at large and that is why we have this programme annually to close that gap of accessing care.
“The World Health Organisation stipulated a standard ratio of one doctor to 600 patients; in the case of Nigeria, the ratio is a doctor to 10,000 patients.
“We strongly believe this medical mission will go a long way to attend to the healthcare needs of residents in under-served communities,” he said.
According to him, the medical outreach will hold at the five key component areas that make up the state namely, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe.
Speaking also, Lola Ogbara-Alogba, the chairman of the 2024 medical mission, stated that the exercise was an annual community outreach of the club to their home state- Lagos state.
Mr Ogbara-Alogba said this year’s mission was targeted at reaching out to over 5,000 residents in underserved communities.
“Over 700 residents of Ayobo in the Ipaja area of the state received the free medical services provided where beneficiaries were counselled on how to maintain healthy practices.
“Hundreds were given free medical consultations and medications while patients with critical conditions also undergo free surgical procedures, ” she said.
Emmanuel Ayeni, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the club for reaching out to people through its medical intervention.
“What the Eko Club International has done is commendable. This is a very good way to reach out to people who cannot afford or bear the stress of visiting government hospitals to access care,” he said.
“One of the beneficiaries, who came for dental care, disclosed that it was a really good experience for him.”
Another beneficiary, Solomon Egba, described the medical mission as a great relief, considering the array of free services available without needing to go far or worry about costs.
“What this group of people are doing is laudable, for supporting our health and well-being through the mission,” he said.
The free medical consultations, checkup, drugs and counselling were offered to beneficiaries.
