The Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Abuja Chapter, has carried out a comprehensive free medical outreach in Sauka community on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, providing critical healthcare services to hundreds of vulnerable residents.
SWAN, an affiliate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), held the outreach on Saturday in Abuja as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative and in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
The outreach provided free malaria testing, prostate screening (PSA), breast cancer screening, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, oxygen level tests, eye examinations, and distribution of medicated glasses, among other services.
Chairperson of SWAN Abuja Chapter, Chinwe Ofili-Ikpeazu, said the initiative was designed to bridge the healthcare gap for underserved communities.
“The essence of this outreach is to bring medical access to the less privileged and to people who cannot afford basic healthcare.
“We went around communities like Karu and Gwagwalada and decided to choose Sauka.
“This is because we analyzed their needs and found they needed it more urgently due to many aged persons and people with various ailments.
“So that is why we are here today at Sauka community, bringing free medical outreach to the vulnerable and less privileged,” she said.
Ofili-Ikpeazu stated that Sauka lacked critical infrastructure, including a standard health facility and potable water, adding that poor road conditions and environmental challenges further complicate access to healthcare.
She said communities outside the metropolis needed more attention and urged government to pay closer attention to the less privileged and ensure development reaches the suburbs.
“The road to this place is not even good to start with. The dust here is nothing to write home about and they have no good medical facility here, no potable water,” she said.
She encouraged the general public to lend a helping hand to those around them, noting that God would bless them.
Vice Chairperson of the Abuja Chapter, Dr Mariam Mohammed, explained that taking healthcare directly to rural communities encourages greater participation, especially when services are free.
“Not everyone has the means to visit hospitals regularly. When you bring healthcare to their doorsteps and make it free, they come out.
“We have doctors and consultants here to interpret test results and prescribe medications, and everything is dispensed at no cost.
“I think the government should also do this. Government should reach the less-privileged to ensure good health in the country.
“It is not only about a few doing it. I know the government may be doing it, but I think they should increase it to a very high level,” she said.
Chairperson of the Health Committee, Flora Ojeme, highlighted the absence of a primary healthcare centre in Sauka as a major concern, hence the need for the outreach.
Ojeme added that the outreach featured a fully stocked pharmacy where prescribed medications were dispensed free of charge in partnership with three collaborators.
“The things the community lack number one is a primary health centre. Every community should have a primary health centre to take care of the health needs of that community.
“So, that is the number one basic amenity that they need.
“Then the environment also—they need proper waste disposal, because when you are coming here, you see a lot of dirt and these things can make them prone to mosquito bites, cholera, and even Lassa fever and snakes,” she said.
Sales and Relationship Officer at AccessCare, Olubusayo Faluyi, said the collaboration aligned with the organizations vision of making healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of location.
“Our goal is to remove barriers such as hospital queues and limited access to doctors. We are here to support this community-first initiative and ensure residents prioritize their health,” she said.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to SWAN for the health intervention, describing it as impactful and timely, and urged government and well-meaning Nigerians to always reach out to vulnerable communities.
Mr Daniel Mino said, “I appreciate it 100 per cent. I just want to say to the organizers, thumbs up.
“Keep it up. Women are doing big things in society today. We just appreciate them.
“We just pray that they have more sponsors and more collaborators so that they can touch and reach other communities that need this outreach.”
