Physician Week: Ogun NMA offers free healthcare services

Over 250 residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Tuesday, benefitted from the free medical outreach provided by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The gesture was part of the activities marking the 2016 Physician Week, held at the Kuto motor park, with the theme “Healthcare in a frail economy: Challenges and Way Forward.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the State Chairman of the association,  Dr. Abayomi Olajide, emphasised the need for people to know their health status.

He said NMA considered it worthy to give back to the people by providing free medical check up on residents during the week -long programme.

Olajide lamented the non challant attitude of Nigerians on issues relating to their health, saying that the free health delivery was a social contract with the people of the state.

The physician week is being celebrated throughout the states of the federation.

He explained that their target audience were commercial drivers, market men and women, and those who  hardly visit hospitals for check ups.

The chairman warned the drivers against excessive drinking and smoking while driving.

Highlights of the event was free drug distribution, free oral test, blood pressure test and eye test.

Also speaking, a director,  of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE),  Commander Seyi Ajayi, enjoined the commercial drivers to drive safely on the highway.

Ajayi noted that there were high records of road accidents in the state, especially along Abeokuta -Sagamu expressway, while appealing to them not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

The branch secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Shayo Ogunmuyiwa, commended the NMA for the exercise.

He explained that the Union would not rest on its oars to inculcate discipline in their drivers by abiding by the  rules and regulations of road users.

Ogunmuyiwa called for more collaboration between the NMA and the NURTW.

A beneficiary, Elder Abraham Olabinke said the free healthcare offered him an opportunity to know his health status at no cost.