- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
It was outpouring of encomiums and commendations as over four thousand people of Oye and Ikole Local Government Areas of Ekiti State benefited from the free-medical outreach sponsored by the lawmaker representing the constituncy at the National Assemby.
In a two-day medical outreach event tagged: “Ayewa Comprehensive Medico-Surgical Mission”, which took place on separate days at Ikole Specialist Hospital and Oye General Hospital respectively.
Residents of the Constituency irrespective of their age troop 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 include Medical Consultations, Minor surgeries such as Lipoma Excision, Herniorrhaphies, Lump Excision, removal of foreign objects from Ear, Nose and Throat.
Others are Dental Procedures, Tooth Extraction, Scaling and Polishing, Eye Tests, Distribution of Glasses, Cataract Surgeries, Care for indigent patients.
Speaking with newsmen during the programme, the lawmaker representing, Ekiti North, Federal Constituncy 1, which consisting Oye/Ikole, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr. affirmed that the initiative was part of his resolve to touch the lives of his people positively.
According to him; “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.
His words: “It’s important we have this periodic health mission to pick things very quickly and address them. In other components, aside just clinicals is also some degrees of surgical. We are also looking at eye defects. There are also interventions in dental as well.
“We are also having about a 1000 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 people are able to access health care system.
“A lot of our constituents have been ill and incured cost in the hospitals and have not been able to pay. We are also going to be taking care of offsetting some of these bills for people.
Hon. Rotimi said, “I must thank the Primary Health Care Development Agency for collaborating with us on this project as well as the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Ekiti State Branch and Association of Resident Doctors, who have all collaborated with us. We are barely 100 days in office and we are able to do these things. I’m immensely grateful to all of them.
“For the constituents, it’s a sign of things to come. We will always prioritise the health care and wellness of our people.
Speaking in a separate interview TopNewsng shortly after the event, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association and CMD, Ikole Specialist Hospital, Dr. Rosiji confirmed that more than fifty surgeries have been done while some other patients are still expected to visit while those with severe cases have been referred.
He lauded the efforts of the lawmaker for the passion and love he have for his people while described the event as a right steps in a right direction.
