No fewer than 700 persons were treated of different ailments during the two-day Aro Bamgbose Free Healthcare Services Empowerment Programme in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, the Coordinator, Musa Bello, said.
Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria in Omu-Aran that the programme, which ended on Sunday, attracted people from three wards within Omu-Aran township and other adjoining communities of Oko, Arandun and Ipetu.
He said most of the beneficiaries received free medical treatment and drugs for diseases like malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, hypertension and diabetes.
The coordinator added that the programme was aimed at improving the life expectancy of the people, targeted at the less privileged.
The programme, which involved tests, diagnosis and treatment, would enable the people to know their health status in order to have a clean bill of health, he said.
He noted: “when people know their health status, they will then take precautionary measures and know what to do and what to avoid so as not to escalate their conditions.
“This is one programme, which is of immense benefit to the people at the community level, especially the low income earners, as well as the less privileged.
“It is aimed at improving the health conditions of the people at the grassroots and for them to contribute meaningfully to their immediate environment.”
Bello expressed satisfaction at the large turn-out of people and commended the traditional ruler of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, and the various associations for their support toward the success of the programme.
A civil servant and beneficiary of the programme, Khadijat Aminu, commended the organisers of the programme for the gesture and expressed hope that other Nigerians would emulate them.
Chief Adekunle Oyinloye, the sole financier of the Aro Bamgbose Foundation and organiser of the programme, said: “This is my own way of giving back to the society.”
Oyinloye said the programme was borne out of his findings on the difficulties encountered at the grassroots in getting necessary medical attention.
He added: “Through my in-depth research, I got to know that many people, especially at the community level, have turned away from hospitals to seek medical assistance as a result of financial constraints.
“Many people have become incapacitated and lost hope, even for an illness that will cost less than N1,000 to treat.
“I now realise that if we are able to take care of the medical needs of our people, they can then channel their resources to other things such as accommodation and education of their wards.”
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