Ondo communities benefit from medical outreach

For the past eight years, residents of Akoko communities in the four local government areas of the northern senatorial district of Ondo State, always look forward to receive free medical outreach organised by a non- governmental organisation, Miteda Wellness Initiative.

The medical outreach which is the brainchild of Dr Adefunmilola Williams-Daudu, started some eight years ago. At this year’s free medical outreach, over 3,000 people from the four local government areas benefited from the event where about 248 medical experts, including 39 doctors, over 60 nurses, 12 laboratory scientists and other health workers drawn from different parts of the country, attended to the people of the communities.

According to the initiator of the medical outreach, about 2,846 people were treated for various ailments, while free eye glasses were distributed to those who needed them.

A breakdown of the figure indicates that 718 patients were treated for malaria, 495 for hypertension and 460 for diabetes, while 218 people were treated for arthritis, 96 for neuropathy, 68 for dental problem and 65 for eye disorder, among others.

The beneficiaries, mostly old women, men, pregnant women and young people, came out en-masse from different locations within and outside Akoko.

Dr. Williams-Daudu said the number of people who trooped out to get treatment for various ailments was a testimony to the fact that more people were in need of help.

“It is just getting bigger by the year. The last time I checked, we have been able to attend to over 2,000 people from areas like Ikare, Isua, Owo and Akure. The awareness is getting bigger,” she said.

Speaking during the outreach, the traditional ruler of Ikaram-Akoko in Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of the state, Oba Andrew Momodu, described the programme as inspiring, commending Dr. Williams-Daudu for the initiative.

He noted that some of the indigent who could not afford to pay their hospital bills always looked forward to event. He said such medical initiative would help reduce deaths among rural inhabitants.

“The little God has given us, we should help with them. Government alone cannot do everything. It is just the will. It is just the vision of what you want to do for the people. The programme has been expanding year after year and it has brought health benefits to thousands of people around here. It has helped in reducing superstitious beliefs in the area by making people aware of their health problems and proper precautions they need to take.

“The programme has been more beneficial to the people of Ikaram and we cannot thank the organisers enough,” Oba Momodu said.

Some of the beneficiaries of the programme expressed satisfaction while they pleaded with the NGO to sustain the program in order to continue to save the lives of poor individuals at the grassroots.

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, 75- year -old Madam Felicia Bardi, a beneficiary, prayed for the initiator of the programme. According to her, “I have been benefiting from this programme for the past eight years. I was able to regain my sight through their programme. They gave me free treatment and glasses and I replace the glasses every year.”

Mr Idowu Anime, who was seen holding some of the drugs given to him after been treated, said the drugs were for malaria treatment. “I have benefited a lot; they have attended to me and they gave me drugs. I was not feeling too fine. They spoke to me on how to take care of my health.”

Another beneficiary, Samuel Olokun, commended the group for the initiative, saying the programme has been able to put smiles on the faces of the people by attending to their health challenges. He however lamented the high cost of medical services in hospitals as one of the reasons people resort to self-medication in the area.

Speaking on the need to do more, the husband of the initiator said, “We keep track. We try to get feedback and it has been positive, very encouraging. A woman just approached me, knelt down to greet me and said she has been given medication for ten years. What better testimony can you get! You can see the smile, the feeling of excitement in her.”