One of the leading Health organizations in the country, the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (WAPCNM) on May 10th Wednesday, 2023 held a One-day Community Medical Outreach to sensitize the residents of Oluwalogbon, Akanni, Okesuna, Balogun, Aiyepe Streets, and its environs on how best to go about their health status in order to stay alive and healthy spicing it up with a free medical test.
According to the Chairperson of the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (Lagos Zone), Chief Mrs. Antonia Ekwu (JP) described the free medical outreach as part of the Nurses’ Week and became necessary to reach out to people in the Somolu community so as to give them the opportunity not only to know more about their health status but as well take necessary actions to avert avoidable illness or even untimely death.
“Obviously, what we’re doing today is to provide free health care to the people of the Somolu community which includes free health talk, free Blood tests, Free Hepatitis B tests, Free Eye tests, and Free HIV tests. A lot of people slump and die on the street because they failed to take necessary actions about their health and by creating awareness like this, it will go a long way in letting them know more about what is going on in their body and take steps when and where necessary.”
“We’re going to be here for the rest of the day and if time permits us, we’ll come back to continue from where we stopped, and don’t forget this is an advocacy to sensitize those who have not been checking their health status to avail themselves of the opportunity by visiting the hospital, public health providers around them.”
Also speaking at the community medical outreach, the newly elected House of Assembly member, Hon. Biodun Orekoya commended the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (WAPCNM) for such a laudable initiative put together to promote the good well-being of the people in Somolu community.
“I want to thank the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (WAPCNM) who have deemed it a feat to come to our community to support us to see that our people are in a good frame of mind. The major problem is that many of our people don’t even have time for themselves especially when it concerns their health. Many of them don’t go for medical check-ups. We always assume we’re alright. Death doesn’t just come, there must have been an underlying factor.”
“For instance, a lot of them have High Blood Pressure (BP) and they don’t know. BP is a sudden death disease that oftentimes claims people’s lives especially when they ignore the signs and they’ll just be walking and drop dead and with this initiative, it’s an ample opportunity for the people when they get tested and as well administer free drugs.”
“That’s why I appreciate them for this gesture coming to our community as part of their Annual Nurses Week and we’re supporting them by ensuring that all those that test negative are treated free of charge.” He stated.
In the same vein, one of the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach, Mr. Sunday Badewa applauded the health organization describing it as a good gesture that will keep those who benefited from the outreach in good health condition and further guide them against avoidable diseases, illness, and even death.
“At first, I was surprised when I saw the banner, I thought it was a fluke until I saw people coming out in their numbers and before I could say, Jack, the whole street had been jam-packed and a series of tests have been conducted on the people and free drugs administered. I think it’s a good initiative and I give kudos to the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives.” He posited.
However, Chief Ekwu in closing her remarks showered encomium on the newly elected House of Assembly member, Hon. Biodun Orekoya for his presence and financial support for the treatment of those who test negative while admonishing the residents to always ensure they go for routine medical checkups and as well seek advice from the medical personnel.
