Not less than 120,000 Nigerians across the country were lifted by Rotary International (Nigeria) free health services.
Packaged by Rotary for Family Health & AIDS Prevention Inc (rfha), an action group under the Rotary International (Nigeria), the services that gulped $240,000 was held simultaneously in 120 sites in many states of the federation.
The three days health services’ event that ended on Saturday, was held in conjunction with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Speaking at the take-off of the event, the National Programme Coordinator of the exercise, Bola Oyebade said, the event held in conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with Rotary Clubs and Districts in Nigeria, ministries of health, private sector and NGOs, was targeted at meeting some health challenges of Nigerians.
According to him, some of the services provided were polio immunization, malaria screening and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, hepatitis B &C, diabetes & glucose level screening, hypertension screening, tuberculosis screening and vitamin A administration.
Others were deworming of children, distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets, cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening.
Counseling and tests on family planning, distribution of sanitary pads, eye test, dental care and Covid-19 awareness and sensitization were also done.
“For the three days, Rotary Clubs organised mount booths and set up camps in various locations, tested, screened and examined members of the public”, he added.
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Oyebade, also a past District Governor of Rotary 9111, said the programme, which was a routine, was meant to aid Nigerians who cannot afford basic medical services.
Oyebade, who hailed Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, noted that the event had gained momentum over the years, hinted on how the group also in some cases gives referral.
At the opening ceremony, a Senior Gender Specialist for Rotary Family Health and AIDs Prevention Group, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Edith Makandi, urged Nigerians both in the public and private sectors, to ensure erase gender inequality in the continent.
“It is important to ensure that gender equality and social inclusion are integrated in the work we do.
“But the way we look at integration of gender equality and social inclusion in this kind of a program is to ensure issues of access, equal access to health is taken into consideration.
Noting that there is huge inequality in the sector, she added: “We know very well health services are not given. If you don’t have the means, you don’t get unfettered access to health services.
“Our goal is to make sure that no one is left behind when we get to issues of health services, whether you’re a woman, a man, a boy, and a girl.”
“And those are some of the issues that we would like to start looking at those barriers and addressing to make sure that everyone gets access to health care.
“So, we will look at more equity within the equitable access to health care and deal with those issues whether it’s social norms, cultural norms, social beliefs, religious beliefs.”
According to her, the group’s goal was to make sure that no one was left behind in issues of affording health services, either as a woman, a man, a boy, or a girl.
She called on all stakeholders to ensure that these issues were addressed.
“And I say two critical issues in our lives to progress even as a country are education and health. If you’re aware from an education perspective, then, you will make decisions that will ensure your health and the health of your children, the health of your household; because a healthy household means that it’s a healthy nation.”