Lawmaker, Rotimi Facilitates Free Medical Treatment, Surgeries in Ekiti

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, has facilitated free medical services for over 4,000 people in his constituency consisting of Ikole and Oye in Ekiti State.

The two day outreach tagged: ‘Ayewa Comprehensive Medico-Surgical Mission’, took place on separate days at Ikole Specialist Hospital and Oye General Hospital.

The people of the constituency, irrespective of their age, trooped out in their large number to enjoy the golden opportunity which was carried out  in conjunction with Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigerian Medical Association (Ekiti State branch), and Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.

Some of the services enjoyed included medical consultations, minor surgeries such as lipoma excision, herniorrhaphies, lump excision, and removal of foreign objects from the ear, nose and throat, dental procedures, cataract Surgeries among others.

Addressing journalists, the lawmaker said the initiative was part of his resolve to touch the lives of his people positively, adding: “During the course of my campaign, I had six focal points, and health is a very critical part of it because without health, there is nothing anybody can do.

“It’s a priority that our people are healthy and I have always followed the ideology of Prof. Olukoya Ransome Kuti and others in primary health care that the society needs to prioritise primary health care because if you have a functional health care system,  you have fewer cases migrating to the General Hospitals.

“It’s important we have this periodic health mission to pick things very quickly and address them. In other components, aside just clinical, is also some degrees of surgical. We are also looking at eye defects. There are also interventions in dental as well.

“We also have about a 1,000 people who will be included in the NHIS which will ensure that our constituents that are selected are able to access health care for the next one year, totally free of charge.

“I think this is a very important part what we should be doing. All stakeholders should be unified about strengthening our NHIS system so that the people can access the health care system.”

In his remark, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and CMD, Ikole Specialist Hospital, Dr. Rosiji, said more than 50 surgeries have been done while some other patients are still expected to visit the centre while those with severe cases have been referred.