6,000 Benefit from Lagos Free Medical Mission

Martins Ifijeh

No fewer than 6,072 residents of Ajeromi Local Government and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos have benefitted from a three day state sponsored free medical expedition programme tagged ‘The Eko Health Mission Programme’ which was held between Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th May, 2018, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris has said.

Idris who made this known at a news briefing in Alausa, Ikeja recently, explained that residents of the areas benefitted from free health services including consultation and treatment for common ailments as well as screening for hypertension, diabetes, eye care and provision of eye glasses, dental care, family planning services, HIV counseling and testing amongst others.

He said, “a total of 3993 people were attended to as General Out-Patients for common ailments and complaints, hypertension and diabetes screening and management, 285 others were also seen and attended to at the Dental Unit, 1,747 people were screened and treated at the Eye Unit out of which 548 were given free eye glasses and others screened and counseled at the HIV unit.”

Idris while stating that Eko Health Mission programme which started on Tuesday 15th May at the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area secretariat will come to a close on Thursday 30th August, 2018 noted that the medical mission team will visit some other selected local government and local council development area for three days each starting with Ajeromi Local Government.

“The next points of call for the medical mission team are at Iba Local Council Development Area Secretariat Premises on Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th May, 2018, Apapa-Iganmu Local Government Secretariat Premises on Wednesday 30th May to Friday 1st of June, 2018 and Oriade Local Council Development Area Secretariat Premises on Tuesday 12th June to Thursday 14th June, 2018 at 9am daily,” the commissioner said.

He listed other local governments and local council development areas to be visited during the programme to include Oriade, Lagos-Mainland, Lekki, Ejigbo, Ikoyi Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Ikosi-Ejirin and Agbado-Oke Odo Local Government and Local Council Development Areas.

Speaking on the importance of the programme, Idris said that the State Government is continuously finding ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population adding that the plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust of the state which is guided by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without any barrier whatsoever.

He disclosed that the strategies adopted in implementing these policies include the introduction and provision of various programmes that have direct impact on the Health outcome of Lagosians stressing that these programmes are geared towards promoting health, detecting diseases early and offering treatment and rehabilitation.

The commissioner posited that the overarching goal now is ensuring that residents have access to Universal Health Coverage adding that the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to develop and implement strategies, programs, interventions and initiatives to improve the health outcome of all Lagosians.

“One of these interventions is the Lagos State Health Mission, which the State Government has used over the years to complement health service delivery in the state. This was put in place, as part of the State Government’s quest to find ways to take healthcare to the grassroots and underserved areas of Lagos State, by addressing pressing health issues of the rural communities in the state,” the commissioner said.

While noting that the Health Missions are short-term interventions, Idris stated that the programme is geared towards the Strategic Development Plan of ensuring Universal Health Coverage adding that the Missions provide services that take healthcare to the doorsteps of its citizens at no cost to the people.

“These health missions are significant because they enable this administration to provide healthcare services to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socio economic status and affiliations,” he added.

While reiterating the commitment of the state government to the well-being of the residents, Idris urged all residents of Lagos especially residents of areas to be visited to take advantage of the programme and benefit from expert care for common ailments and other free health services including provision free medications, eye glasses and health talk on good oral, personal and environmental hygiene and many more.