On Saturday, July 26, 2025, a diverse group of individuals from Kwara State, including Pregnant women, Nursing mothers, Adolescents, Children and people with disabilities (Dwarf, blind, deaf, Abino, physical disability etc) gathered at Baboko Community Secondary School in Ilorin for a free medical outreach programme organised by Kwara Rotarians.
The President of Presidents, Rtn Buhari Oladimeji Abdulafeez said the event was organised to commemorate the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Month which is the theme for the Month of July in Rotary.
Speaking at the venue of the Programme, Rtn Buhari informed that Rotary Club is an international organization saddled with the humanitarian and community support for all irrespective of religion, ethnicity, age or class.
According to him, there is a particular theme for each month, and the theme for the month of July is ” Maternal and Child Health” saying that beneficiaries were selected among Persons with Disabilities.
Rtn Buhari PHF, mentioned that attention was focused on the People With Disabilities (PWD) because they are vulnerable, and need special attention.
The President of Ilorin Metro announced that the medical outreach center offered a range of services, including Chest X-ray, Basic medical examinations, medications, health screenings, counseling, among other essential medical needs, to support the beneficiaries.
He also added that sanitary pads, mosquito nets, delivery kits, and financial support for logistics were also presented to beneficiaries during the one – day free medical outreach based on their needs.
“Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality rate is a top priority and our effort in the society is to reduce, to bearest minimum even amongst persons with disabilities.
He advised that the members of the PWD should always visit hospitals any time they needed medical attention and also for regular medical check up.
The POP encouraged PWD to maintain their unity and keep rallying around each other in order to offer protection and care in times of need.
He said the event was jointly organised by all the 10 Rotary Clubs in Kwara State in collaboration with NGOs such as NYNETHA, SHEAD, Seed of Praise and Ilorin Global Shapers respectively.
The President, on behalf of the organization however, appealed to government to show more commitment on issues affecting the People With Disabilities in the state, because they are vulnerable and require special attention.
“The members of the People With Disabilities are not only facing health challenges, but the economy situation is also affecting them and even more severe than those that are not with disabilities” he added.
He therefore advised the PWD in Kwara State not to be discouraged by their disabilities but develope their talent to empower themselves, adding that there is always ability in disability.
Responding to the free medical outreach by the Rotary,one of the beneficiaries, Hassan Muibat, a member of the people with abinism in Kwara State (Albino) thanked the Rotary Club for their concern about her community.
Muibat, a student shared her experiences and the free services offered. ” I was screened for hepatitis, HIV, attended to by a doctor free of charge and I also received sanitary pads and other supports”.
Aminu Alaya, another beneficiaries thanked the organizers of the programme, acknowledging that through the free medical outreach, many lives of the PWD and other beneficiaries were touched.
Abdulmumini Ajarat, a PWD member commended the organizer, described the programme as a very apt, worthwhile, and a good initiative.
“Through this event, we know our health status, some of us that are sick were given medications after medical test was conducted on us and they still gave us transport money back home” she said.
She also urged the organization, other NGO to continue to support the PWD across the state.
Abdulmumini however appealed to governments at all levels to consistently collaborate and financial support Rotary to ensure they continue to do more for the less privileged and persons with disabilities.
Zainab Muhammad, a blind nursing mother and beneficiary of the Programme commended Rotary Club for their support for their community, and the vulnerable groups in general.
“My six months old baby has been sick in the past few days and no money for medical attention. Just this morning I got the information of the free medical outreach by a friend. When I got here, medical check up was conducted on my baby. And the necessary medication have been given. The organization also gave us mosquito net ,money for transportation,and other supports”, Zainab said.
