Edo begins free medical outreach to local governments

• as health Commissioner leads volunteers to provide services at Esan West LGA

Health Commissioner, Prof. Obehi Akoria receiving some traditional rulers at the outreach

No fewer than 800 residents from various communities in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo state received free health care service at a medical outreach organized by the state government last Wednesday, January 4.

The State Commissioner for Health Prof. Obehi Akoria who personally led over 200 health professionals on the outreach told journalists that the exercise was part of government’s efforts to enhance the health and wellbeing of all citizens by ensuring that quality and efficient healthcare services get to the grassroots and underserved areas in the state.

She said the outreach would be extended to more local governments in the coming months.

An array of medicines for beneficiaries

Services provided at the Esan West mrdical outreach included screening for hypertension, diabetes, Hepatitis B and C;  eye care, skin-care; reproductive health services with distribution of free male and female condoms and other family planning commodities; cervical cancer screening, breast self-examination, health education, provision of drugs for common ailments, health education on prevailing medical conditions, and enrolment into the State health insurance scheme.  These were provided by volunteers covering Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Child Health, Obs & Gyn, Nursing, Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Health Promotion/Education, Community Health, among others.

Prof. Akoria disclosed that 51 women had cervical cancer screening, while 142 patients had family planning services. She disclosed that a total of 139 persons were also registered on the health insurance scheme.

“The 800 clients served had about 2,000 clinical encounters as each of them was at liberty to see as many medical specialists as they chose to.

“Free eye glasses and medicines were dispensed, there were family planning services with distribution of free FP commodities while tests for hepatitis A, B and C as well as breast and cervical cancer screening were also conducted. Some cases were actually detected, and polyps surgically excised”.

Members of the community also benefitted from health talks

“We are confident that this outreach, aimed at further raising awareness on the need for constant medical checkups among residents, will complement the government’s efforts in ensuring a resilient healthcare system for quality and efficient healthcare delivery,” she said.  

The Commissioner further disclosed that the outreach received support from various partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) which provided educational flyers about Lassa Fever to beneficiaries, the Momentum Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) which provided some medicines, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) which provided the glasses that were distributed to beneficiaries.  She commended the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) of Esan West LGA, the traditional rulers (Enijies) and other stakeholders in the LGA for their contributions and support.

Prof. Akoria who was elated by the outcome of the event said the outreach was part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Health Improvement  Programme  designed to take quality healthcare to every part of the state. 

“I am humbled at the amazing successes that we recorded during the outreach.  It’s amazing what our healthcare professionals pulled off  yesterday  with just a few days’ preparation,” she said.

Health Commissioner, Prof. Akoria (4th from left) and some members of the health team at the outreach