The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Kunle Salako, extended free healthcare services to 1,000 residents of Ogun State during a medical outreach held on Saturday.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Wale Junaid, the minister disclosed this initiative at the outreach program conducted for the residents of Ayetoro and Saala-Orile communities in the Yewa North Local Government Area.
The outreach provided various health services, including malaria treatment, hypertension and diabetes checks, among others, catering to people across all age groups.
Dr. Salako explained that the objective of the program was to enhance the well-being of rural residents. He emphasized that early detection of diseases plays a vital role in preventing premature deaths, especially in underserved communities.
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“This medical outreach aims to ensure residents know their health status. Many Nigerians are living with minor health challenges that could escalate into serious issues if not addressed promptly. The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, is committed to improving the overall health of Nigerians,” Salako said.
He further stated that the initiative aligns with the President’s priority on improving access to healthcare, particularly for rural communities. He assured residents that similar programs would be extended to other parts of the country shortly.
The team leader of the medical mission, Dr. Olayinka Afeez, stressed the importance of regular health check-ups, which he said are often overlooked.
“Programs like this help people discover illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis early and enable timely referrals for treatment,” Afeez explained.
Beneficiaries of the initiative expressed their gratitude. Oluwabosede Aremu, one of the residents, appreciated the minister for bringing such a noble initiative to Saala-Orile.
Another beneficiary, Mary Akinlolu, also praised the effort, noting that the outreach would significantly help them understand and manage their health better.