Spread the word
No fewer than 582 residents of Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have benefited from a two-day free medical outreach organised by Dr. Tunde Ibiteye in collaboration with Medical Initiative for Africa.
The outreach, held at Ekinrin-Adde community has provided free medical screening, consultations, treatment, health education and surgical interventions as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare at the grassroots.
Organizers disclosed that the free medical outreach marked Phase One of a broader initiative has attended to 485 adults and 97 children, noting that medical screenings conducted during the exercise revealed a significant prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among the beneficiaries, highlighting the need for regular health checks and early diagnosis, particularly in underserved communities.
According to the figures released by the organisers, 149 beneficiaries were identified with hypertension, while 118 had diabetes. A further 98 people were found to be living with both conditions.
They said the findings underscored the importance of preventive healthcare, sustained medical monitoring and increased public awareness of chronic illnesses that can lead to serious complications if left unmanaged.
“A major highlight of the outreach was the provision of 43 surgical interventions to patients requiring specialised care.
“The medical team performed 30 cataract surgeries and 12 hernia surgeries, while one beneficiary underwent both cataract and hernia procedures.
“The interventions offered beneficiaries an opportunity to address medical conditions that could otherwise impair their health, mobility, vision and overall quality of life.
“In addition, 100 free reading glasses were distributed to residents who required assistance with near vision, further strengthening the eye-care component of the programme”
The organisers described the Ekinrin-Adde exercise as a significant step towards bringing essential medical services closer to rural communities, where access to routine screening, specialist consultations and surgical care may be limited by financial and geographical barriers.
They said the initiative reflected Dr Ibiteye’s commitment to giving back to his community and supporting improved healthcare delivery through collaboration with Medical Initiative for Africa.
According to them , the broader programme is expected to extend medical screening, treatment and appropriate surgical interventions to other communities across Ijumu Local Government Area in subsequent phases.
They maintained that access to healthcare should not be determined by geographical location or economic circumstances, stressing that taking medical services directly to communities would promote early detection, timely treatment and better health outcomes.
The organizers also reaffirmed Medical Initiative for Africa’s commitment to supporting interventions that provide accessible preventive care and treatment to underserved populations.
Spread the word