LAGOS – The Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area on Wednesday commenced a free health screening exercise in all the wards in the council.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, which began on Jan. 26 is to end on Jan. [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]30.
The programme comprised screening and treatment of hypertension, diabetes and treatment of malaria, typhoid and other infections.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Lukman Omotosho, told NAN that the programme was initiated to encourage residents to know their health status.
Omotosho said that most health related issues killing people could be contained, if detected at the early stage of the ailment.
“We have had programmes like this in the past but it was in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and it is being carried out quarterly in the year.
“The peculiarity of this year’s programme is that it is organised solely by the council and members of its caretaker committee and it is open to everybody available at the screening ground.
“It will be on for a week and attracts the advantage of moving the health workers from different locations within the council to cover all the wards.
“We want to be able to help community dwellers know their health status and also receive adequate treatment to promote a healthy environment,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Mr Said Waheed, the council’s Medical Health Officer, said the programme would assist residents to reduce disease burden and incidence of sudden death.
“Hypertension is a silent killer, whereby if it is not detected early, the person is at high risk and could lead to sudden death.
“We make sure that any detected ailment will be given proper care by providing free treatment; there will be regular consultations to monitor the patients.
“We have invited experienced medical officer to add to the initial manpower we have in our health centres; this will enable us give quality service to the people.
“This will be so beneficial to people who do not have the opportunity to go for regular checkup.
“The turnout has been so impressive and we are expecting more people during the week,’’ Waheed said.
One of the beneficiaries, Alhaja Amina Balogun, said that the platform had encouraged most aged residents to get adequate medical attention.
“We are so happy to be given such opportunity to have access to free health in our local community; it is an impressive step by the present caretaker committee.
“Most of us don’t even know that we need to take medical checkup regularly but with this we are aware and I believe people will keep up with it,’’ Balogun said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Samuel Olujide, commended the effort of the organisers, stating that it would assist people who had challenges in keeping up with medical bills.
“Most people do not have enough money to buy medications for their ailment but this will assist us,’’ Olujide said.
He, however, urged members of the caretaker committee of the council, to intensify efforts for better supervision and organization. (NAN)
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