No fewer than 1,500 indigents of Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara, on Saturday benefited from a medical and surgical outreach.
The two-day medical outreach was organised by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach, the minister stressed the need to bring healthcare services closer to the people at the grassroots.
According to him, this is to ensure that health facilities are brought to the doorstep of the citizens.
Fagbemi therefore called for sustained investment in primary healthcare to improve access to quality medical services in rural and underserved communities.
The minister further stated that the initiative was designed to complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the large turnout at the exercise demonstrated the need for regular medical interventions in rural communities, noting that such programmes should not be one-off events.
Fagbemi explained that the experience recorded on the first day had shown the need to extend the intervention to other towns and villages within the LGA.
“I feel it is better to appreciate President Tinubu by ensuring that with the little that we have, we also show the members of this community that the president has done a lot.
“But it is not too much to offer what we call ‘widow’s mite’. As people say, ‘health is wealth’,” he explained.
The minister disclosed that plans had been put in place to organise subsequent outreaches across communities before the end of the year.
He also called on other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery.
Fagbemi pointed out that the migration of Nigerian health professionals abroad, popularly known as “japa syndrome”, had both positive and negative implications.
He noted that the demand for Nigerian-trained doctors and other health professionals by foreign countries was an indication of the quality of their training and competence.
The minister, however, stressed the need for increased investment in the training and certification of health workers.
According to him, some Nigerian professionals who have gained experience abroad are returning to contribute to the development of the country’s health sector.
Earlier, a member of the Health Advisory Committee, Prof. Uthman Mubashir, lauded the medical outreach organised for people across Ijagbo and the surrounding environs.
He disclosed that some of the common ailments recorded included hypertension, diabetes, ulcer and musculoskeletal pains.
Mubashir, an expert in Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said the outreach also included screening for hepatitis and HIV.
“The screening is to ensure that people know their status. There is also Rapid Diagnostic Test for malaria and screening for pulmonary tuberculosis,” he said.
The expert added that cases of hernia and hydrocele, as well as lumps, were also detected for surgical intervention.
On his part, the Chairman of the Ijagbo Community Health Committee, Dr Wale Adeoti, expressed appreciation to the minister for the health intervention.
He urged beneficiaries to adhere strictly to medical advice and prescriptions given by the health professionals.
Adeoti said the beneficiaries passed through health education and promotion, vital-sign checks, medical consultations, laboratory investigations and pharmacy services.
In his appreciative remarks, the traditional ruler of Ijagbo, Sharafadeen Babalola, commended the AGF for the initiative.
Babalola described it as an indication of the importance attached to the health and well-being of the people.
The ruler urged residents of the community and neighbouring areas to take advantage of the programme and continue to support and pray for the minister.
Two beneficiaries, Mr Samuel Kolo and Mrs Jumoke Adeoti, also commended the organiser for the free medical outreach in the community.
Kolo said the outreach was a relief from paying out-of-pocket for health services at the hospital.
Adeoti said she received free consultation and was administered free medicines as well as food and drinks.
