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Tag: free medicare

  • Excitement as 700 Delta residents get free medicare

    Excitement as 700 Delta residents get free medicare

    More than 700 residents of Ibusa (Igbuzo) in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and neighbouring communities benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW) last weekend.
    The two-day programme, held in collaboration with the Ibusa Association USA, Inc. and the Foundation Educational Support Programme, Enugu, provided consultations, diagnoses, drugs, and various screenings to hundreds of men, women, and children who had long lacked access to affordable healthcare.
    AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, said the massive turnout underscored the growing health needs of the community.
    She reaffirmed the association’s 14-year commitment to improving healthcare and education in Ibusa and beyond.
    According to her, this year’s edition was expanded to include breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings, mental health checks, eye screening, and the distribution of 200 eyeglasses, while 300 people underwent eye tests in collaboration with VisionSpring.
    Beneficiaries were also tested for diabetes and hypertension, while wheelchairs and walkers were distributed to those with mobility challenges.
    Career talks and self-esteem workshops were held for young girls to encourage ambition and confidence.
    Mrs. Idigbe said over 18 doctors participated, stressing that the event helped bridge critical healthcare gaps caused by rising medical costs.
    She appealed to government agencies to support such initiatives through better infrastructure and collaboration.
    “Our motivation is simple—we believe charity begins at home,” she said.
    “Many of our people can’t afford healthcare, and every year this outreach reminds us why health is wealth. Seeing people relieved of pain gives us fulfilment.”

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    She advised beneficiaries to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat balanced diets, and engage in regular exercise. “Government can’t do it all. But if they support groups like ours with facilities, we can do even more,” she added.
    AIPROW founder and former president, Prof. Ifeoma Utomi, explained that the association was born out of a vision to unite Ibusa women professionals to contribute meaningfully to their community.
    “It wasn’t easy at first, but teamwork and shared purpose made it possible,” she said.
    Prof. Utomi noted that the group initially focused on women and the girl-child, but later included men following community demand.
    “In recent years, prostate cancer screening has become a key part of our outreach.
    “We now also collaborate with the Ibusa Association USA, which sponsors breast and prostate cancer tests,” she said.
    This year’s programme featured the participation of Dr. Iheanacho Emereuwa, a U.S.-based consultant gynaecologist and founder of the African Primary Healthcare Foundation, who flew in to volunteer.
    He described the outreach as “a much-needed lifeline” and urged the government to invest more in rural healthcare facilities.
    A beneficiary, Mrs. Veronica, expressed gratitude after receiving free eye treatment and a pair of glasses.
    “I couldn’t afford them for years. What AIPROW did for me is beyond words,” she said.
    The Ibusa women’s annual outreach continues to stand out as a model of community-driven healthcare, blending professional expertise, diaspora support, and compassion to uplift their hometown.

  • NTDs: Take advantage of free medicare, Oyo govt urges residents

    NTDs: Take advantage of free medicare, Oyo govt urges residents

    Oyo state government has called on residents who may be battling with symptoms of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as leprosy, guinea worm, lymphatic filariasis, dengue fever, rabies, and scabies, amongst others, to visit various health centre for medical intervention.

    According to the government, NTDs, if not properly treated could lead to disability and stigmatization, hence the need for serious awareness on the diseases from all critical stakeholders.

    Oyo state commissioner for health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who made the call at a press conference to commemorate the 2024 World NTD Day, said most of the medication for the treatment and control of the diseases have been provided free of charge by the state, in collaboration with development partners.

    Neglected Tropical Diseases are group of diseases that are largely found in tropical areas of the world where they thrive among people living in impoverished communities and in areas where access to clean water sanitation and essential medicine is scarce.

    Citing examples, she said “Onchocerciasis (river blindness) if not treated could lead to loss of sight, while Schistosomiasis (SCH) and Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) can result in anaemia.

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    “The long-term effects of some NTDs can be catastrophic, which can lead to loss of life. The devastating effects of NTDs on our people cannot be over emphasized, hence the need for all to come together to combat the diseases.”

    While speaking on efforts of the state government towards eradicating NTDs in the state, the Dr. Oluwaserimi said, “Our action is to raise the profile of NTDs, the suffering they cause and to gather support towards their control, elimination and eradication, in-line with programmatic targets set out in the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 NTD road map which includes decreasing the number of people requiring intervention for NTDs by 90 percent.”

    She further noted that the state government through innovation and intensified disease management, preventive chemotherapy by distributing anthelmintic medicines, mass drug administration of praziquantel to school aged children, vector control through mass spraying of insecticides, veterinary public health, provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene, among others.

    She explained that in line with the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to provide qualitative health care, the Ministry of Health would continue to intensify effort through mass awareness and administration of medication, as well as partner with the Ministry of Education for School-Based Deworming (SBD) treatment, amongst other interventions to control and eradicate the diseases.

    She said: “This year, the world NTD Day theme seeks to continue the momentum from previous years and carry through the thread of taking NTDs out of isolation, identifying opportunities for integrated action on NTDs and the continued call for investment in NTDs.”

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji maintained that the state government has been playing a central role in implementing policies, allocating resources and coordinating efforts to control and eliminate the diseases in the state.

    Olatunji further stressed that in 2023 alone, Oyo state government released over N27million to support NTDs program activities in the state, including drug distribution, public awareness campaigns among other activities.

    He said: “The NTD unit of Oyo state Primary Health Care Board is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out all the control strategies through safe and cost-effective preventive chemotherapy (PCT) in collaboration with the willing NGOs.”

    Olatunji in his words listed four NTDs that are endemic in the state as soil Transmitted Helminthes, Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis.

    On his part, the commissioner for Education, represented by Mrs Ntor Gladys, pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to ensure pupils in the state do not suffer from stunted growth, deworming challenges and other NTDs, for the state to have a healthy future.

    The weeklong 2024 World NTD Day celebration has the theme: Unite, Act and Eliminate, is to hold in partnership with UNICEF, Evidence Action, Christ Blind Mission among other development partners.

  • Rivers community gets free medicare

    It was a week of joy when 3,853 residents of Bakana community in Rivers State received free medical services at a five-day medical mission conducted by the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation.

    The outreach, the 32nd by the Foundation,  tackled  health challenges in rural and semi-urban areas across the Niger Delta by giving access to quality medical services.

    Clinics included pediatrics, optometry/ophthalmology, dental, physiotherapy and surgery. Treatments included 156 Dental, 165 Physiotherapy, 113 surgeries, of which 56 were herniorrhaphy and 43 eye surgeries.

    1. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Chairman, Mrs. Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, recalled that High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, who the Foundation was named after, believed in abundant life.

    She said: “In 2014, during the inauguration of one of the many health facilities, High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs supported in his lifetime, he stated: ‘Even if it is just one life we can save, or one person’s pain we can alleviate, it is a good beginning. And the more people and organisations that can provide similar services, the more people we can help collectively’.

    “Working in partnership with other organsations in the government, non-government, private sector, and academic sectors is one of the secrets to our success. The power of strategic collective engagement on common issues, as espoused by Dr. O. B. Lulu-Briggs, is demonstrated and affirmed by the cooperation which has made this medical mission possible. We would like to use this opportunity to invite you all to join forces with us on this or any of our other initiatives.”

    Mrs. Lulu-Briggs was represented at the mission by the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Mrs. Ineba Ideriah Tongkam. The Bakana Medical Missions Team comprises 150 medical and 20 non-medical volunteers, including a team lead by Dr. Sobomabo Lawson from the Kalabari National Association Inc, United States, who partnered the Foundation on the mission.

    Lawson said: “The Kalabari National Association is grateful to the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation and other supporting bodies for bringing succour to the people of Bakana town.”

    Prof Victor Dappa thanked the Foundation for its continuous support to the community and others across the Niger Delta.

    Michael Braide, one of the patients, appreciated the Foundation for helping the needy.

    In addition to its medical missions, the Foundation has, among others, donated a N50 million Health Centre to the University of Port Harcourt. It also funded research on Parkinson’s Disease to the Rochester Research Institute in New York and to the Virginia Keiley Benefaction of the University College Hospital London.

    In partnership with specialists, the Foundation also carried out campaigns on the following non-communicable diseases: Parkinson’s disease (2010), Prostate Cancer (2016), Kidney Disease and Diabetes (2018).

     

  • Orphanage gets free Medicare, foodstuffs

    Our Daily Manna (ODM) Ministry has donated food stuffs and provisions to an orphanage, Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, in Lagos.

    It also offered the orphanage free medical care.

    ODM leader Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe said the outreach took place simultaneously in Lekki and Ogudu in Lagos State and in 100 centres across the world where the group has branches.

    Medications, rice, noodles, biscuits, eggs, cornflakes, milk, sugar, groundnut palm oil, and toiletries, among others, were given out.

    Kwakpovwe said the gesture was a directive from God to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged and to give them hope for the future.

    The gesture, he added, was to show mercy. He said many of the beneficiaries he attended to had High Blood Pressure (HBP).

    “We thank God we have the medicines that lower BP which we dispensed to the beneficiaries and we also prayed with every one of them,” Kwakpovwe said.

    He urged Nigerians, government and corporate bodies to live for posterity and not for prosperity, adding that they should impact positively on the needy.

    According to him, the outreach would go viral next year.

    A beneficiary, Robinson Inyang, described the programme as a noble exercise that should be sustained.

  • Free medicare for Osun community

    The Olugbenga Akintola Foundation (OAF), a non-governmental organis-ation, has provided a free health programme for residents of Iwo and its environs in Osun State.

    The foundation had earlier provided same free health programme for residents of Ejigbo, Ikire, Ilesa, Ile-Ife and Ila-Orangun.

    According to the President of the foundation, Olugbenga Akintola, an Architect, people suffering from hypertension and diabetes were targets of the programme. Speaking at the General Hospital, Iwo where drugs worth several millions of Naira were donated to the health facility for patients’ use, Akintola said the programme was aimed at complementing the efforts of the government towards ensuring healthy living for the poor.

    He advised Nigerians to shun self-medication, even as he advised them to consult medical experts whenever they feel any symptom of ill health.

    He said: “The government cannot do everything. We see our intervention as complementing the effort of the government. The government cannot do everything with the meagre resources available to it, especially in the rural communities.

    “We operate as a mobile clinic.  Hypertension and diabetes are the fastest silent killers. We launched the free health care to end the menace.”

    He also revealed that the foundation gives out micro-loans to support businesses and trades of poor people across the state.

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, whose blood pressure was checked by the foundation’s medical team in his palace, vowed to do everything possible to ensure that the people of Iwo and its environs live a healthy life.

    The monarch enjoined them to visit their doctors and health facilities for regular check-ups anytime they notice symptoms of sickness. The Oluwo also advised the people to take care of their health by always watching what they eat, being physically active, having  enough rest and avoid alcohol and smoking.

    Oba Akanbi said: “There are many things you can do to manage your health. You can prevent some illnesses by eating healthy, fresh foods and being physically active. It is good for you to see your doctor at least once in a year.”

    Mrs. Iyabo Belau and Mr. Iskilu Akanji, on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended Olugbenga Akintola Foundation for the gesture. They said the foundation’s intervention would improve their health.

  • Lagos Island Rotary offers free medicare

    In furtherance of Rotary International’s (RI’s) objective of providing medicare to families across continents, Rotary Club in District 9110 has offered free health to Nigerians.

    No fewer than 200 patients got free screening, treatment, and drugs at penultimate weekend at Glover Lifestyles’ Clinic in Victoria Island, Lagos where the two-day event held.

    The services involved HIV, diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, and polio immunisation.

    Others were deworming for children, malaria, cervical/breast/prostrate cancer, dental and eyes. The beneficiaries also received free mosquito nets.

    Glover Medical Lifestyles Clinic Chairman, Chief Anil Glover said over N2million was spent on the programme with 50 per cent of the money provided by his clinic, adding he was glad to host it.

    He urged Rotary to organise the camps regularly.

    He praised the District 9110 Governor (DG), Dr Wale Ogunbadejo for making a difference to lives of the people in Lagos Island. He however praised the district’s assistance to the club.

    His wife Arvinder, a medic, who was the Medical Coordinator of the programme, expressed happiness with the turnout.

    The club’s President Sajeev Tandon said this was the second edition of the Rotary Family Health Day, a medical programme of the club, which was inaugurated two years ago.

    He promised to execute more programmes that would touch the lives of the less-privileged. He ascribed the success of the event to the club’s awareness campaigns.

    Dr Sunit D. Roy,  the Vice President,  said the club cares for the good health of Nigerians and that the club’s members were ready to stand by this commitment at all times.

    The Secretary  Mamta Deb Roy also praised the turnout, especially it was more of the less privileged.

     

  • Lions, local govt offer free medicare

    Lions, local govt offer free medicare

    Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State in conjunction with Ikeja (Golden) Lions Club last Monday offered free eye screening and glasses, drugs and medication to residents of the area.
    At the event, which held at the secretariat of the local government (LG), no fewer than 100 people benefited from the gesture.
    The council’s Sole Administrator, Ganiyu Isola Quadri, said the event was a collaboration between the council and the club, adding that the LG contributed the lion’s share of the deal. ‘’We provided the logistics, the drugs, etc.,’’ he said. He praised the club for its assistance. He harped on the dividends of democracy, saying the medication was one of them.
    Lions’ President, Mrs Caroline Adediran said the club provided over 100 eye glasses, costing over N120,000 each to the beneficiaries. She added that the money was raised from the members. She said the event was part of the Lion’s objectives to assist the less privileged in the society. ‘’Lions Club helps the poor. We have been doing that for 100 years,” she added. According to her, Lions had provided medicare at Oregun and Shomolu local governments.
    On why the group chose eye treatment, the club’s Health Committee Chairman, Mrs Olajumoke Adebanjo, said: ‘’We believe eyes are essential to everybody. So, we should not lose them.’’ Earlier, she said, the club held screening for diabetes, dewormed children and took care of the elderly.
    A beneficiary, Mr Samson Ogunjumo said: ‘’We thank Ikeja (Golden) Lions Club. We didn’t expect this. They tried a lot. May God give them more strength.’’

  • Lions, local govt offer free medicare

    Lions, local govt offer free medicare

    Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos in conjunction with Ikeja (Golden) Lions Club on Monday offered free eye screening and glasses, drugs and medication to the people of the area.
    At the event, which held at the secretariat of the LG, no fewer than 100 people benefited from the gesture.
    The council Sole Administrator Hon Ganiyu Isola Quadri said the event was a collaboration between the council and the club, adding that the local government contributed a lion share of the deal. ‘’We provided the logistics, the drugs, etc.,’’ he said. He praised the club for their assistance. He harped on the dividends of democracy, saying that the medication was one of them.
    Lions’ President Mrs Caroline Adediran said the club provided over 100 eye glasses, costing over N120,000 each to the beneficiaries, adding that the money was raised from members. She said the event was part of the Lions objectives to assist the less privileged in the society. ‘’Lions Club help the poor. We have been doing that for 100 years, she added. So far, she said, Lions had provided medicare at Oregun and Shomolu local governments.
    On why the group chose eye treatment, Chairman, Health Committee of the club Mrs Olajumoke Adebanjo said: ‘’We believe eyes are essential to everybody. So, we should not lose them.’’ Earlier, she said, the club held screening for diabetes, dewormed children and take care of the elderly.
    A beneficiary Mr Samson Ogunjumo said: ‘’We thank Ikeja (Golden) Lions Club. We didn’t expect this. They tried a lot.May God give them more strength’’

  • Free medicare for Oyo community

    Free medicare for Oyo community

    It was a massive crowd at the palace of the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oyo State Oba Ganiyu Adekunle Salawu the Ologuunebi Ajinase 1 penultimate week. Indigenes of the ancient city had converged on the palace to participate in the free medical screening and lecture organised by the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) Class 26 of the Lagos Business School (LBS) Members of the group, who graduated from LBS two years ago, said they had been organising such programmes since they graduated, adding that the programme was aimed at sharing and extending help to members of their community. They maintained that they were exposed to such philanthropic principles by their alma mater.

    Addressing the indigenes, the treasurer of the association, Mr Chidubem Obiodu said: “When we completed our programme in 2014, we agreed to help the society through education and health care programmes. We chose Iseyin today, because we needed a place out of Lagos, since we had done many outreaches in Lagos already. The free medical screening is very important, because we want people to live long and see their children and grandchildren.”

    Chairman of Class 26’s Corporate Social Responsibility team, Mr Dimeji Olona said it took proper planning, commitment of members and partnership with the community leaders to bring the activity into fruition.

    “Every one of us keyed into the vision of LBS to impact positively on the society. Last year, we conducted an education programme while we focused on health this year. It took proper planning to get this programme done, which helped us to get the commitment of the community.

    “We worked hand-in-hand with the people from the local government, who mobilised members of the community for us. We brought our medical team who also worked hand-in-hand with the local medical team here,” Mr Olona said.

    He noted that a Consultant, Dr Ademola Imran from the Beachland Specialist Hospital, Arepo Lagos State was brought to teach and counsel members of the community on their health, while he headed the team and gave free consultation to all the participants after their screening.

    Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Saheed Yusuf-Alaran, said he was impressed by the benevolence of the group. He said provision of affordable health care services for the people was part of his administration’s policies.

    Yusuf-Alaran said his administration had also organised other health programmes in the community, advising the people to heed to the counsels they had received at the lecture.

    After conducting her high blood pressure tests, optical test and learning how to check her breasts for lumps, a teacher at ADS Primary School, Mrs Falilat Olayemi, praised AMP Class 26 for bypassing other communities to make hers to benefit from the gesture.

    Mr Kazeem Adewoye, an Aso-Oke weaver said: “The gesture is very good. A lot of us needed medical attention, but we cannot afford tests and screening. We are very happy. We pray they will do more and that government would enhance their efforts.”

  • Free medicare for six communities

    Free medicare for six communities

    Relief has come for needy residents of six communities in Anambra State. An organisation called ASA-World made up of the state indigenes resident overseas provided  free medical care for the people.

    The mission, according to the ASA-worldwide and ASA-USA President, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, who led the delegation, will cost 800,000 dollars.

    The group told The Nation that they have no regrets thinking home because medical challenges the poor masses face are much.

    It was the reason the team brought diagnostic equipment and drugs to be left behind for resident doctors and other health officials to continue using.

    The six communities that benefitted in this first phase of the ASA-World largesse are Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area, Abagana in Njikoka and Obosi in Idemili North council areas.

    Others included Ihembosi and Ozubulu, both in Ekwusigo council area as well as Oba in Idemili South local government area.

    Anakwenze, said the medical mission is supported by ASA-world membership in 27 countries that embraced others like Canada, Dubai and Switzerland among others too.

    At Oko, 1,100 people suffering from different ailments were treated and drugs given to them, while Abagana counted 8, 500 people, Ihembosi, 1,200, Obosi 1, 300 and Ozubulu with 1,200 patients.

    Interestingly, one of the black–Americans that was involved in the trip to Anambra State, Mrs. Teressa R. Kemp traced her ancestral home of her father to Awka about 187 years ago.

    She said that she organised Igbo Arts and Cultural festival in South Carolina as she has taken interest in works of African people, while describing Nigeria especially, Ndigbo as hardworking, intelligent, unassuming and entrepreneurial in nature.

    Kemp, said her great grandfather named Osinachi, was trafficked over 187 years ago as a blacksmith from Awka into slavery as confirmed by DNA.

    She told the Nation that she had written a book “keeper of the fire” an Igbo metal smith from Awka, detailing the story of her forefather.

    According to her, “I am proud to be linked to Ndigbo, the world has prospered because of Ndigbo”

    The vice president, ASA-worldwide and president of ASA-UK, Christian Onuoha, said they are taking off the challenge from the government, adding that they are doing things that would benefit the poor masses.

    He lamented that the people could not go to hospital because of lack of funds, adding that area of the 2015 medical mission to include scholarship mission from ASA-South Africa, while ASA-Canada will embark on awareness and orphanage visits.

    A London-based early year’s education specialist, Mr. Bright Dumaka said Nigeria would maximise its potentials for greatness through a sustained strategic long term planning and implementation of an early year’s education policy.

    This, according to the man with interest in tourism and hospitality, would translate to gains in so many areas.

    Dumaka argued that the society as a whole would be far stronger as a cohesive and leading force, if this is made a priority project undertaken by the stakeholders responsible for the communities.

    He said, “In addition, it makes the care for the re-evaluation of community values by policy makers, stakeholders and adults in general to consciously adopt a long term strategic plan to maintain those values that make us dynamic and enterprising as a community but change the ones that adversely affect us.