Kwara doctor marks birthday with free healthcare to 500 indigents

 

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Dr Ola Ahmed, a Principal Medical Officer and a Past Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Kwara has offered free healthcare services to about 500 indigents across Ilorin metropolis.

The free healthcare is a two-days event, which includes medical and surgical screening, consultation, free eye screening, distribution of eye glasses and also drugs.

The programme also engaged the youths in sports games and sensitization on drug abuse, sexual and reproductive health.

Speaking with newsmen at the medical outreach in Ilorin, Ahmed explained that the programme is a way of marking his birthday by giving back to the society.

According to him, the free health care intervention is to complement what government is doing in promoting the health of the citizenry.

He observed that accessing healthcare comes with challenges such as funding, ignorance and the Japa syndrome witnessed across the nation, where doctors continue to seek greener pasture outside the country.

Ahmed pointed out that this is an opportunity where health is brought to the doorstep of the citizens, and doctors are able to diagnose and offer free treatment to people.

He added that the elderly, women and children were all beneficiary of the free healthcare.

The philanthropist also appealed to other well meaning individuals to also key-in on activities that support promotion of well-being and welfare of people in Nigeria.

Ahmed specifically advised on supporting people with health insurance, as this will cover the healthcare expenses of individuals for a whole year at a subsidised price.

“We can pay for children’s school fees, scholarship for the indigents, text books. Our people need help, a lot of people are dying silently,” he appealed.

Also speaking, Dr Salau Hafiz, a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist, at Ayishat Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Eiyenkonrin, noted that people were screened for malaria parasite, blood sugar and blood pressure test.

He explained that those with eye problems had eye glasses recommended to them, while observing that the turn-out of people was very impressive.

Hafiz listed some of the ailment common among the patients to include hypertension, diabetes, malaria and respiratory tract infections among others.

Also Dr Kudirat Lambe, a Deputy director with the Kwara Ministry of Health said that being part of the outreach gives her sense of fulfillment and gratification.

She observed that this is a way of giving back to the community that help to train and discipline them as children.

In her reaction, a beneficiary, Alhaja Adijat Nuru, said the outreach was highly beneficial because she was able to access healthcare easily.

She explained that doctors were able to diagnose and offer free drugs for her treatment.

Nuru commended the doctor for the yearly initiative and appealed to other well meaning individuals to organised similar free medical outreaches for the indigents.

In his response, the Community Leader, Alhaji Yusuf Saliu, Daudu Ajia Dogarin said Ahmed has always exhibited compassion in the community where he grew up.

He therefore tasks other Nigerians to emulate good qualities and give back to their communities, saying that whatever good you do, will be rewarded by Allah.

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