Introduction to Free Medical Mission in Lagos State
No fewer than 3,000 residents of Lagos State, particularly in the Ikate community, on Wednesday benefitted from a free medical mission in the area. The mission, organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) and Oba Saheed Elegushi Foundation, covered checkups for diseases including hypertension, diabetes, different types of cancer and gynaecological issues.
Services Provided by the Medical Mission
Other services included glaucoma, cataract, hernia, gallbladder surgeries, and training for medical personnel to enable them improve on their skills. The National Treasurer of ANPA, Dr Lanre Jimoh, said the aim of the mission was to have a kind of multi-specialty hospital, targeted at prevention, treatment and training for medical personnel, who will continue treating patients, after the programme.
Overview of the Medical Mission
He added that though ANPA carries out missions in Nigeria annually, this event was special because it marked the association’s 30th Anniversary. Jimoh, who is also a Gastroenterologist in Charlotte, USA, said: “We’ve done missions for many, many years now. So, over time, we’ve continued to find ways to not just come and then go, and then forget about all the people we took care of.” He said with the help of collaboration, the association was able to carry out about 65 glaucoma surgeries and about 200 cataract surgeries.
Plans for Future Medical Missions
Jimoh disclosed that the association had plans to establish its presence in Nigeria, rather than coming for missions alone. The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the mission, which was planned for nearly nine months, is one of the first of its kind outside the United States. According to him, a medical team from Andorra had been on ground, conducting surgeries, training sessions, and transferring medical capacity to local practitioners.
Support and Partnerships
The Traditional Ruler of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, said that health was an important aspect of an individual’s life, and should not be trivialised. Elegushi acknowledged the immense contributions of ANPA, and urged residents to take advantage of the free medical mission. Also, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said ANPA’s medical mission had been constant with so much impact.
Health Awareness and Education
Dr Funmi Ige, President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State branch, enlightened the women about breast and cervical cancer, instructing them on what to look out for during breast self examinations. Ige said some sinister signs of cervical cancer to look out for were bleeding for post-menopausal women. Others include bleeding after sexual intercourse or between menstruation. She urged women to go for regular mammograms and cervical screenings.
Beneficiaries’ Testimonials
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Enitan Ipade, expressed joy at the opportunity her family had, to receive medical treatment, including a dental check-up, and medications for free. She praised ANPA and the Elegushi Foundation, also urging Nigerians to take issues concerning their health seriously.
Conclusion
The free medical mission in Lagos State was a huge success, with over 3,000 residents benefiting from the services provided. The mission not only provided medical care but also educated the community on the importance of health and wellness. The partnership between ANPA, Oba Saheed Elegushi Foundation, and other organizations is a great example of how collaboration can lead to positive impact in the community.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the free medical mission in Lagos State?
A: The purpose of the mission was to provide free medical care to the residents of Lagos State, particularly in the Ikate community, and to educate them on the importance of health and wellness.
Q: Who organized the medical mission?
A: The medical mission was organized by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) and Oba Saheed Elegushi Foundation.
Q: What services were provided during the medical mission?
A: The services provided included checkups for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, as well as glaucoma, cataract, hernia, and gallbladder surgeries, and training for medical personnel.
Q: How many people benefited from the medical mission?
A: Over 3,000 residents of Lagos State benefited from the medical mission.
Q: What was the significance of the medical mission?
A: The medical mission marked the 30th Anniversary of ANPA and was one of the first of its kind outside the United States.
