In an effort to address the healthcare needs of his constituents, the senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, at the weekend organized a free medical outreach at Idogbo Community.
The free medical outreach, which was held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Idogbo Community Town Hall, the headquarters of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, was in conjunction with the National Cereal Research Institute BADEGGO. The outreach is aimed at providing much-needed medical services to residents who might otherwise struggle to access healthcare, according to organisers.
The free medical outreach witnessed hundreds of constituents in Idogbo Community troop out to benefit from the kind gesture of the senator, offering a variety of medical services. Some of the services accessed included general health check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, free health talk, BMI testing, malaria testing, and eye examinations. The initiative also included the distribution of free medications, free consultation with medical doctors and eyeglasses to those in need.
Senator Imasuen, while addressing the gathering, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging the healthcare gap within the district, and expressed his commitment to continually support efforts that bring health care closer to the people, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
According to Imasuen, the outreach is a response to the pressing healthcare challenges faced by many of his constituents, especially those who lack the financial means to afford quality medical services at this time of economic hardship bedevilling the nation.
Addressing journalists shortly after addressing his constituents, Senator Imasuen said he put up the free medical outreach to help mitigate the challenges of accessing affordable healthcare by his people due to the current economic situation of the country, which has brought hunger and hardship to Nigerians.
“Like I said before, health is wealth, the reason for this free medical outreach is because of the so much clamour of the state of the economy, people are hungry, and can’t put food on their table anymore; the state of insecurity and all of these issues bordering the citizens.
“But on top of that is the issue of health and this is something that is so much important because, health as they say is wealth and if we don’t actually look into that area, if we begin to neglect it, it is only a matter of time before we start having an epidemic on our hands. So, it is for that reason I thought I should bring this medical outreach to my constituents.
“I chose Idogbo here in Ikpoba Okha for the beginning of the programme so that it will not be the people who are in the urban area only. I have to bring it to the outskirts so that everybody can benefit from this,” he said.
The Edo South Senator stated that there are a lot of other programmes he is currently doing in other parts of the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district so as to bring government presence closer to the people. He reiterated that he will continue to carry out more programmes like this in Edo South Senatorial District so as to bridge the gap between government and the people.
Also speaking, the programme coordinator of Senator Neda Imasuen Free Medical Outreach, Dr Owen Omo-Ojo, commended the Senator for putting together the free medical outreach so as to positively reach out to the constituents.
Dr Omo-Ojo stated that the medical outreach that took place at Idogbo Community Town Hall is just a pilot phase of the initiative, stating that it will be carried out across the seven local government areas that make up Edo South.
“We have actually discussed extensively on continuity, this is supposed to be more like a trial project and we have already seen how successful it is. From Idogbo Community we are taking it across to other communities in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and across other local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District. So, this is not a one-off thing, this is something we want to do very regularly, if possible quarterly or bi-annually.
“I think Senator Barr. Neda Imasuen is a very passionate man, a man who has foresight. For him to actually key into this vision and conceptualise such a programme for his constituents shows how much he really loves his people and how much he prioritises the healthcare of his people. I commend him for this project”, he said.
One of the beneficiaries and an elder of Idogbo Community, Pa John Igbinosa, appreciated the Senator for carrying out the free medical outreach for the people of Idogbo Community, stating that not every leader can do what Senator Imasuen has done.
“If our elected leaders across the nation do what Senator Neda Imasuen is doing, it will also help the government to reach out to the people more. Health is wealth and we are very happy for what the senator has done for us. I pray that he should continue with it so that other people can also benefit from his kind gesture”, he said.
Similarly, Mrs Ekiomado Omogiete, an indigene of Idogbo Community and a beneficiary of the free medical outreach, commended the senator for bringing the medical outreach to the people of Idogbo Community, showering encomium on Senator Imasuen for prioritising the healthcare of the people of Idogbo Community.
“What Senator Neda Imasuen has done today is a thing of joy for us in Idogbo Community; that the senator remembered us and his people and decided to do this for all of us. We are very grateful to him and we urge him to continue to do more humanitarian projects like this for us”, she said.
The medical outreach was facilitated in collaboration with MIKYBLESS Nig. Ltd and a team of medical professionals from both within and outside the state. These included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers who volunteered their time and expertise. The programme also saw significant support from local health authorities and community leaders, who helped mobilize residents to take advantage of the free services.
Residents of Idogbo and surrounding areas turned out in large numbers, expressing gratitude to Senator Imasuen for the initiative. Many beneficiaries shared their experiences, noting how the outreach had provided them with medical attention that they had long needed but could not afford. For some, the event was their first encounter with a medical professional in years.
