Over 3,000 aged men, women, youths and students have so far benefited at the ongoing medical outreach organised by City Changers Global in Ibadan, Oyo State, according to medical team lead, Pharmacist Olaseni Sokunbi.
The medical outreach, which commenced on Friday at the Glory Tabernacle Ministry, Ojurin, Bodija, in Ibadan North Local Government Area, was attended by vulnerable people from across the 11 local government councils that make up Ibadanland.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Saturday, Sokunbi said the turnout had been fantastic.
She said, “Yesterday (Friday), we filled over 2,000 prescriptions of different types. Eyeglasses for about 500 people and we are still expecting some more today (Saturday).
“Our goal is to do 2,000 eye checks, we have optometrists here, we have pharmacists, we have nurses of different calibre from the University College Hospital, Ibadan and other places that have come to support us.
“We have numerous doctors too, so it’s been a wonderful support from the community and we are grateful to Ibadan for that and we hope to come again,” she said.
Also speaking with our correspondent, an 11-year-old patient, Israel Akinola, said he had been experiencing an eye condition since the age of six.
“I have been experiencing it for about five years now. Sometimes it will be like I am crying and it also aches me. That’s why I came here and the treatment was impressive.”
A 12-year-old, Blessing Oluwole, said she had been facing an eye condition for almost three years, and when she heard about the medical outreach, she informed her mother who brought her for treatment.
Another patient, Oluwaseun Ibikunle, who was attended to at the dentistry section, said, “It’s a laudable programme. I received my treatment which is free of charge. I’m very happy because I’ve been feeling some pains for months now. It’s a relief for people that are here, because if we are to treat it outside we know how much we are going to spend. They treated us well as if we even paid. It’s a good initiative.”
A 76-year-old, Mary Olaniyi, said everywhere normally became blurry whenever she was in a crowded area, hence her decision to seek medical treatment.
“I just started having issues with my eyes. And I also came here not only because of my eyes but because of my legs, my HBP, diabetes and hypertension. They checked everything and the necessary prescription has been made.”
A 40-year-old, Olanike Sulaimon, said she noticed that her vision was not sharp, adding that, “I can’t read very well. It’s blurry, and when I heard about this medical outreach through my church, I decided to come around.”
Speaking with PUNCH Online, the President of CCG, Matthew Oluwajoba, said the government could not shoulder the responsibility alone and called on well-to-do members of society to assist vulnerable people.
He said, “You know government alone cannot do it. It’s good that they have to get the understanding — service to humanity is service to God. And let everybody understand that if you are privileged to be a rich person today, it is not just because you are smart, it’s not just because you are better than others, it’s just because God gives you that favour, and if God gives you that favour, it’s important that you reciprocate and do the same thing for the people that are in need. Help those that are in need.
“There is nothing bad in taking care of vulnerable people. I want to appeal to people that God has really blessed to do these humanitarian services.
“I want to urge all the General Overseers, philanthropists, founders of churches — it’s time to collaborate with the government. It’s time to help. It is good to build churches, schools, investments for your ministry but I think it’s better to address human needs. Please, as God has blessed your churches, do something for this generation,” he urged.
