Over 430 Edo residents benefit from free medical outreach

Beneficiaries also received medications, while those requiring advanced care were referred to hospitals for further treatment.

Founder of the foundation, Goodluck Ilajufi Ebelo, said the outreach was designed to improve access to healthcare services in underserved communities, particularly during festive periods.

“We do not have hospitals or healthcare centres in this area. So, we felt that during festivals, especially Christmas and Easter, we could invite volunteer doctors and other medical practitioners to the villages to address various health challenges affecting the people.

“This has been ongoing for the past three years, and this is the fifth of its kind,” he said.

Ebelo said plans were on to refurbish, furnish, and equip abandoned government health facilities in the area, as well as engage qualified personnel to operate them.

Project Director of the Foundation, Dr. Hannah Ojo, said the initiative was inspired by the need to curb preventable deaths in the communities.

“This initiative was born as a result of people losing their lives to preventable causes. If there had been access to proper medical care, many of them would have survived,” she said.

“Although there are health centres in these communities, they are not functioning optimally. We felt we could help reduce the mortality rate by providing essential healthcare services. For those requiring surgical attention, we also connect them to hospitals where they can receive treatment.” Dr. Ojo stated

 Chairman of Zide community, Zachariah Lala, said the Foundation had rehabilitated a dilapidated school and employed four teachers.

Another beneficiary, Gabriel Aigbekumo, also commended the initiative and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate such efforts.

“Government at all levels should rise to their responsibilities. These are services that should ordinarily be provided by the government, yet a single individual is making a significant impact,” he said.