In Lagos, the indigent benefit from free healthcare

SaturdayMarch 29th 2014 will forever remain evergreen in the minds of hundreds of residents of Oshodi in Lagos Island area of Lagos State as they received free medical check-up, treatments and drugs from the Arise Women Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Lagos Province 4. For some residents like Sherifat Bamgbola, a petty trader, it was a day to be remembered for good. “Their gesture towards our community was more effective than any other style of evangelism,” she stated. Sherifat had planned to visit a hospital because of her sickly feelings before she heard of the free health programme and reluctantly decided to attend. “The tests run on me and the drugs given to me were more than what I was expecting or even gotten from the hospital if I had gone to the hospital because I do not even have enough money,” she stated. Sherifat, and other women, children and men were among the residents of Lagos Island who benefited from free screening for cancer, malaria, typhoid, blood sugar, hypertension, tuberculosis and other diseases of the Mobile Clinic Health Initiative of the Arise Women of RCCG, Lagos Province 4. As early as 6: AM, the community square was already filled to the brim. But despite the number, everybody that came was attended to by the team of medical practitioners brought by the group. In a chat with Good Health Weekly, the convener of the Arise Women, Barrister. Shiju Iluyomade, explained that the initiative was as a result of her strong connection with the womenfolk right from her days as a boarder at Queens College, Lagos, which was later sharpened by her over 19 years experience as a leader of the women ministry. Iluyomade who is also the Province Pastor’s wife, hinted that the initiative which started last year after the Arise Conference has reached out to over 5,000 people, at six outreaches across Lagos. Some of the areas reached include Makoko, Ebute-Meta, TBS, Lagos Island, amongst others. Iluyomade, is of the opinion that the state of health of women in a nation could be use as measurement for the health of the nation as a result of the crucial role they play and thus has channelled the initiative to “primarily look after the wellbeing of women, to be sure that their health is put in the front burner of everything they are doing.” The Convener also said they are targeting to raise fund for cancer research in the country. Iluyomade, who further advised Nigerians to take responsibility for their health said Nigerians should cultivate the culture of healthy living as very little things they do could prolong their lives and keep them healthy.