Relief as tech firm conducts free cardiovascular screening

As part of its corporate social responsibility, a technology company, Secure Electronic Technology (SET Plc) engaged foreign cardiologists to conduct a free screening exercise on cardiovascular and other health related diseases for residents of Ijora-Badia in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports.

 

It was a time of relief for residents of Ijora-Badia in Lagos when over 1000 people comprising women, men, including the elderly were examined by a cardiovascular disease specialist based in Philadelphia, United States of America, Dr Sabu George, on the bill of Secure Electronic Technology (SET Plc) in conjunction with the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area and some other nongovernmental organisations.

The exercise which not only involved screening but also free treatment was SET Plc’s way of giving back to the society that has supported its business activities over the years.

The company through it charitable arm, NSL Foundation, has over the years devoted its corporate social responsibility to free medical missions by leveraging on its close ties with allies in the field of medical mission all over the world for the benefit of Nigerians most in need.

Chief Executive Officer of SET Plc and Chairman of the NSL Foundation, Dr. Odunlami Kola-Daisi, while speaking on the reasons behind the location for the treatment explained that his attention was drawn to the area because of the high population of indigent people living in the local government according to United Nation Statistics, adding that apart from the three-day free screening and consultation, the organisation also provided the beneficiaries with seven to 30 days free drugs supply and in serious cases onward referral to state specialist clinics.

Kola-Daisi explained that a major aspect of the exercise was dedicated to capacity building and development of local doctors and nurses on basic cardiovascular health issues by the foreign specialist, adding that as a trained medical doctor, he recognizes the important of good health to productivity.

“The expert will teach our doctors and nurses on the basic cardiovascular health issues and how to use and read data from the Electrocardiography machine (ECG or EKG) provided for the LCDA medical centre and we will ensure that other parts of the country have access to the periodical medical mission.

The cardiologist, Dr George is an Indian citizen, born in Nigeria and attended the University of Jos, where he was trained as a medical doctor before moving to America 25 years ago. He stated that, “cardiovascular diseases are a silent killer and if not detected at the early stages, the sufferer is at high risk and can lead to sudden death. It is more expensive to treat the ailment and cheaper to prevent it by maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, checking cholesterol, avoiding too much of carbohydrates and sugar.

“I saw over 200 people whose blood pressure was above 200, I saw cases which most people only read in textbooks. The gratitude from the beneficiaries and the staffs is overwhelming, it is the kind you can hardly get anywhere else in the world,” he added.

He said that there were plans for him, Dr. Kola-Daisi and seven other international renowned medical specialists to come back to Nigeria next year and expand the programme.

On his part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, represented by the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Eniola Erinoso, urged residents of the Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area and all Nigerians to undergo regular medical tests for diabetes and hypertension.