The Rotary Club of Abeokuta Metro on Wednesday held the second day of its Rotary family Health Days at the Royal Health Centre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta. Ogun state capital.
At the Annual Free Health services hundreds of people within the Ake axis were at the venue to check and benefit from the free health check up ranging from Malaria Screening and Treatment, Diabetes and Glucose level Screening, Hypertension and Tuberculosis screenings, distribution of Insecticide treated Mosquito Nets, Menstrual Pads, Drugs and counseling from Doctors, among others.
Speaking with Journalists, the secretary of Rotary Club of Abeokuta Metro and incoming President, Rotarian Abiodun Ogundaini described the Rotary as an humanitarian organization that has been extending hands of fellowship to people in the community.
“We have been extending hands of fellowship to people in our communities which is our first point of contact and our aspiration is to see. to duly assess and see what our people are passing through and see how we can help and contribute our quota from where the governments have not been able to reach, which this annual free nationwide Health services by Rotary Club has been doing’
Also speaking, the Past President and Chairperson, Maternal and family Health Days, Rotn.Bisayo Oyekan Ogundeji said that the Club’s Family Health Days is a Unique Programme taking place through out Nigeria.
“In all areas, we are doing this free medical test,counselling and provision of drugs to people of the community and this program has been in existence in order to take care of the lives of people of the community, especially those that doesn’t have access to Health care due to financial constraints.
“The program targets everybody, right from babies to all ages and as you can see, over 100 people have registered and many are still coming”
Rotn Ogundeji,while taking journalists round the Health Points,, added that many of the participants have been able to further know their health status and necessary counseling, treatment and drugs given to them and referral also given to participants with some health issues.
In separate remarks,Rotarians Akeem Babatunde and a former President of the Rotary Abeokuta Metro, Olatunji Oladeji described the Rotary Family Health Days Services as one of the areas of focus of the Rotary Club.
” We commit ourselves to disease prevention,while promoting healthy lifestyle for people within the Rotary communities.
” It is a partnership between Rotary and some International Organizations who are Health Providers; Bill and Melinda Gate,the Eederal Government of Nigeria and Rotary as well.
“It comes up annually It is a 3 days Programme depending on the resources we have. As long as have the materials and participants are coming, we. Keep providing minimum counseling, treatment and drugs as well as descriptions”
A Rotarian and one of the medical personnel at the programm,Dr Adedayo Oluwadolamu said the outreach aimed at giving back to the people of the community so as to take care of the needy,see to their medical needs, consult and offer little drugs
” We have prescribed drug ti,those that have complications, illnesses that need special care,they are being referred to Government Hospitals.”
Dr.Adedolamu who also described the turnout as impressive and encouraging since it was free, enjoined the participants to always take their Health as one of top priorities since Health is Wealth.
” For instance, some people with BP never know that they have it,No symptoms,at every point in time,we should seek to know our health status” she added.
Many of the beneficiaries at the Programme who expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club stated that drugs and other essentials given to them like Pads, Mosquito Net among others, ,amounted to thousands of naira at the Pharmacy shops.