Residents of Surulere area of Lagos State on Sunday defied the heavy rainfall and turned out for the “Stay Alive” Free Healthcare Medical Service, a programme sponsored by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
Journalists who monitored the programme reports that residents came in their thousands under the rain to benefit from the two days free healthcare service which started on Oct. 19.
It was also observed that the free healthcare medical checkup service was sponsored by the EKEDC in partnership with the Arrive Alive Diagnosis Hospital and Labakcare organisation for residents of Surulere community.
Some of the attendees, who spoke on the programme, commended the organisers of the programme, while urging government at all levels to imbibe such programme for the less privileged in different communities.
A Sixty-five-year-old, Mrs Monsurat Fasasi, retired civil servant, who spoke lauded the programme and urged other private and public companies to follow such gesture.
“I was asked to do a scan of N8,000 when I went to LUTH but which I don’t have money to do. Today, I was given free healthcare service and drugs. They also gave me 20 per cent discount on the scan did.
“I am indeed happy and grateful to the people that put this together. However, I am not happy that the programme is closing today. Some of our people who didn’t hear about the programme on time, pray it is extended so that they can also benefit from it.”
Mrs Rotimi Fashina, 62, a trader, who participated in the free medical healthcare programme, commended the organiser’s efforts, while calling for a consistent medical intervention from government.
Mrs Laide Thompson, a mother who brought her children for the service, expressed appreciation for been among the beneficiaries of the initiative.
Thompson, appealed to the organiser to make the programme at least once a year, so that residents can benefit from such free services annually.
“We will be grateful if our prayer is answered. We are really in need of this kind of medical attention in Surulere because most of us cannot afford it.
Similarly, Alhaji Raman Saheed, retired security personnel, 67 years who benefitted from eyes and knees programme at the centre, also commended the organiser’s efforts to reach out to people with health challenges.
“This is a big one and we are truly appreciative and happy, “Saheed said.
One of the volunteers, Dr Omolabake Jinadu- Fadeyibi, the founder of Labakcare organisation, said the non-governmental organisation, based in United States commenced free medical healthcare service since 2006.
Jinadu-Fadeyibi said that the company and the management decided to contribute their quota to the well-being of Nigerians as true patriotic citizens to the country by offering the free healthcare services to the less privileged.
She urged government to ensure free healthcare service at all levels of the communities, adding that the less privileged need to be taken care of in the society.
Also, the Consultant Pathologist, Dr Samuel Keshinro of Arrive Alive Diagnostics Hospital, said over 2,000 residents were already attanded to between Saturday and Sunday.
Keshinro said that the free health check service was not just for adults but also for children of all age group.
According to him, Stay Alive Project is an initiative of Labakcare Organisation, Arrive Alive Diagnostics & Imaging Services Ltd., fully supported by Eko Electricity Distribution Company and VFD Micro Finance Bank.
“Stay Alive is a community-oriented free health programme focused on preventive care and screening for common ailments within our environment. This project will be manned by local and international healthcare professionals who will be on ground to screen and treat some identified medical conditions. They include hypertension, diabetes, eye conditions, malaria, worm infestation, nutritional deficiencies, common cancers of the cervix, breast and prostate and many more.”
The project also aims at improving the health status of the underserved by offering focused health talks, as well as distribution of foods, vitamin supplements, reading glasses and baby delivery kits to the pregnant women.
In his remarks, Its General Manger, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia said the gesture was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards given back to the society where they operate.
The EKEDC spokesman said that management of EKEDC had decided to support the free health check to the community as part of its corporate obligations in ensuring that its valued customers and Nigerians stay alive to tell their stories.
He said that the company was overwhelmed with the turnout of residents at the programme, in spite the heavy down pour, adding that EKEDC will continue to support such programme in the future as part of its CSR initiative.
“We say patients are given free drugs, vitamins, prescriptions, medical observations, Scan and 20 per cent discount was also given to patients who needs a major diagnosis. We also observed that patients from various hospitals both government and other private hospital were in attendance as feeding was also provided for children and aged people, Idemudia added.”
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