A non-government organisation, Eyiowu Awi Health Initiative (EAHI) in collaboration with Mustard Seed Unilab Educational Consult Reunion Committee, recently organised free medical screening for the people of Ososami and Imalefalafia in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Other co-sponsors are Conac Opticals Nigeria Limited, the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Living Word Global Mission, Ososami, Ibadan and Christian Medical and Dental Association Nigeria, OAUTHC chapter.
Speaking on the programme, the founder of the EAHI, Mr Olasubomi Adelaja, said the NGO was aimed at meeting the needs of the underprivileged by providing free healthcare services in communities.
Adelaja, a 600 level student of medicine and surgery at Obafemi Awolowo University, said: “Our aim is to provide free medical service to children and adults with adequate data collection for proper follow-up.
“We also educate the people on the various preventive measures to guide against infectious and non-infectious diseases that are on the rise in the communities. We ensure that some essential drugs and gift items are distributed for free to the people.”
He said about 200 people had undergone tests for HIV/AIDS, hypertension, diabetes and eye screening, adding that more than 100 children were de-wormed, while eye glasses were given to some at low cost.
In his comments, a 66-year-old beneficiary retired civil servant, Mr John Ojo, said: “This is the second time I would attend such an open medical outreach organised by this medical student. I was able to consult the doctor, who listened to my complaints, educated me on diet modification and gave me drugs for free.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs Seminat Ajibola, 52, said she had been having difficulty seeing objects clearly for many months, but had not been able to go to the hospital due to financial constraint. “I thank God that after the screening, I was able to secure eye glasses at affordable price,” she said.
While commending the organiser of the programme, a 39-year-old food vendor, Mrs Desire Uche, said: “I sent my children to the Mustard Seed Tutorial Centre because of what the coordinator of the this programme has been doing for the people of this community in the past three years. I pray that God will continue to bless him.”