Kehinde Adeleye
The recent Free Screening Exercise and other medical services held at Amu Plank Market and Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in Mushin Local Government not only resulted in numerous lives saved but also catered to various ailments, distributed free eye glasses, and uncovered underlying health issues as Mushin traders in the two markets benefits from the outreach.
The initiatives, executed under the leadership of the Mushin Local Government Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Bamigboye, were a significant stride in mitigating sudden health challenges and high blood pressure, a major cause of mortality.
The administration of the Chairman has been conducting free monthly medical screening for public servants/political office holders at the council secretariat and free monthly rotational medical missions across the wards and communities in Mushin.
The first free market medical outreach, which took place at Amu market on Monday 11th June, 2024 marked the commencement of the extension of free services to traders in the market as they trooped out in their numbers to enjoy the free medical services provided by the Mushin Local Government medical team.
The free services provided by the medical team led by HoD of Medical and Health Services – Dr. Kayode Odufuwa, included:
– Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
– Health Education & Counselling
– Medical Consultation
– High Blood Pressure Check (HBP)
– HlV Screening
– Blood Sugar Check Eye Screening
– Free Eye Glasses
– Administration of free Essential Drugs
– Family Planning
– Chest X-ray and Provision of Mobile laboratory for tests.
At the Amu plank market, 69 cases of Hypertensive patients were discovered, over 40 patients with poor vision were given free eye glasses while several other cases of people with underlying health challenges were discovered and referred to the hospital for further treatment and monitoring.
Traders with malaria, typhoid and other minor ailments were treated instantly and given medications, while patients with severe cases like Tuberculosis etc, were counselled on how to manage their health conditions with referrals to the hospital for further treatments.
The representative of Baba Oja at Amu market – Alhaji Tajideen Sanni, who was one of the beneficiaries of the free medical services, commended the council for the initiative and gestures towards traders in the market. He thanked Hon. Bamigboye for the numerous development projects and other programmes he has conducted, towards taking Mushin to another level.
The youth leader of the market, Alhaji Nasirudeen Olowoidiobi who is also son of the Baba Oja (Alhaji Jimoh Olowoidiobi), thanked the council boss for the programme and constant support for the market especially during the fire incident. He prayed for the chairman to succeed in his administration.
At the Ladipo spare parts market, the traders were overwhelmed with surprise as they witnessed the first ever health programme, brought to their door steps at no cost. They also came out in numbers, to enjoy the free medical services as they went home with free medications, free eye glasses and privileged information about their health status through free screening, blood pressure test and other tests conducted to detect their blood sugar level and chest X-ray.
The Baba Oja of Ladipo market – Chief Monday Lawrence, who also visited the Paramo complex venue of the Free Market Medical Mission, expressed appreciation to Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye for the life saving initiative for the traders.
The chairman of Paramo Market – Chief Chukwuma and other members of his committee, thanked the council authority for the programme and prayed that God should continue to strengthen the chairman in his thrive to give the people of Mushin, quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services.
Free glasses, free medications and other services were provided for traders in the market while those with underlying health cases like; High blood pressure, blood sugar and other cases, were referred to the Primary Health Centres and General Hospital for further treatment and monitoring.