An Abuja-based hospital has provided free blood pressure, glucose level checks, ultrasound scanning, medical and surgical consultations, HIV screening, malaria and cancer screening for more than 200 persons in Kogi.
The one-day medical outreach was conducted at Ofakaga, a community in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
It was organised in collaboration with the Silver Cross Hospital, Pet Fernandes Foundation and St. Pius X Catholic Church, Ofakaga.
Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Patrick Ezie, said that the outreach was organised as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Humanitarian Day.
Recalls that the day, globally celebrated on Aug. 19, is aimed at honouring humanitarian workers who risk everything to help people in need.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “It takes a village”.
He added that it was also organised to complement government’s efforts in the provision of qualitative healthcare.
“Our aim is to touch lives irrespective of the part of the country the beneficiaries come from. We want people in rural communities to have access to free medical services as this.
“We are out to serve the people, especially the less- privileged. We have observed that many people were compelled by financial constraints to treat their health issues with levity.
“Though this outreach is to commemorate this year’s World Humanitarian Day, but we will be carrying out this exercise regularly from one community to the other.
“We also intend to refer those with surgical procedures to relevant health facilities for onward treatment.
“All these are geared towards ensuring that lives are touched and to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their social class has access to quality health care services,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed happiness at the opportunity to receive such free healthcare services.
They appreciated the organisers for the kind gesture.(NAN)