The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State Chapter on Tuesday (July 13, 2021) offered free surgical intervention and medical services to about 231 indigents at Ijara-Isin community, in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara state.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Medical and Surgical outreach, Dr Adedayo Aderibigbe, Deputy Chairman of NMA, Kwara Chapter explained that 213 patients benefitted from Free Medical consultations and Lab investigations.
He disclosed that 11 patients had General surgeries, while seven patients had cataract excision.
According to him, the medical interventions to Kwara rural communities is an annual event where members of the association reach out to the indigent as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to the masses.
“For the past 20 years, the association has been traversing across rural Kwara communities, to see how we can help indigent people with health challenges.
“We have been to various communities across Kwara-South and as time goes on, we hope to cover the whole communities across the state,” he said.
Aderibigbe pointed out that Ijara-Isin is an agrarian community with many aged citizens, adding that some of the common health challenges observed included hypertension, cataract, diabetes, malaria and hernia.
He listed some of the surgical procedures that were performed to include surgeries for cataracts and removal of lumps; herniorrhaphy.
The Deputy Chairman of NMA advise people to always make out time for medical evaluation, adding that early detection of ailment can save lives.
He also said that drugs and surgical consumables were donated to the Health Centre at Ijara-Isin, for the use of residents in the community.
Also speaking, Dr Yusuf Abbas, one of the Surgeon at the Outreach explained that some of the patients have been afflicted with ailments for the past 10 years and could not afford medical intervention.
He explained that surgical procedure also include children who had health challenges.
Abbas enjoined the government to partner more with the association so as to reach as many communities as possible and assist them in their various health challenges.
In his appreciation remark, Mr Nasiru Gbadeyan, father of a five-year old patient who received surgical intervention commended the doctors for their humanitarian gestures and for saving his son’s life.
He explained that the son developed lump on the scrotum as a baby, adding that he could not afford the medical expenses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the patients that require eye surgeries were given referrals to healthcare facility in Ilorin.
