Adebiyi Abeeb Foundation, an NGO in Ogun State, organized a no-cost medical outreach for six rural communities that have historically faced limited access to healthcare services.
The outreach, done in collaboration with a team of volunteer healthcare professionals, provided crucial medical assistance like consultations, vaccinations, and health screenings to the residents of Ibo-Joga, Iju, Sunwa, Ishaga-Orile, Imasayi, and Ibeshe in the Yewa North Local Government Area.
Some beneficiaries, who claimed to have never received professional medical care before, expressed gratitude for the free healthcare services. It has been learned that these agricultural communities lack proper hospitals, resulting in avoidable deaths.
The residents revealed that they often have to travel long distances to Abeokuta in order to receive adequate medical care, which has led many to rely on herbal remedies when they are sick.
Chief Adedigba Odunlami, one of the community leaders, acknowledged the challenges faced by underprivileged individuals in accessing healthcare and also appealed to the state government for assistance in rehabilitating and equipping the local hospital.
You need to take a look at the hospital we have here, it is not conducive at all. We hope the government will come and do something tangible here.”
Another resident, Mrs. Basirat Obadina claimed that the Federal Medical Centre annex in one of the communities has no functional surgical department.
She stated , “There’s no good hospital in this community. An accident occurred here in Ibooro about last year and we tried to rescue the victim who was bleeding profusely. On our way to Ijaiye Hospital in Abeokuta from Ibooro, the man died.
“The Federal Medical Centre we have in Joga-Orile can’t admit a patient who wants to undergo a cesarean section
“If we have anyone that is ill in this community, if we want the best treatment for him, that means we will have to travel down to Abeokuta.”
Despite this, she conveyed gratitude to the NGO for introducing the program to the local area.
In the meantime, Abeeb Adebiyi, the creator of the NGO, stated that the medical initiative aimed to address the urgent requirement for healthcare services in the isolated villages, which have endured neglect from the government for a prolonged period.
He disclosed that during an educational campaign a few months ago, the NGO discovered the disadvantaged health situation of the community members.
He revealed that medical tests carried out showed that the residents mostly suffer from diseases like High Blood Pressure, typhoid, Strokes, eye problems and malaria.
“We are not only developing these communities but want to also improve the development of their health and there is a need for the government to equip more facilities in hospitals in the rural areas,” he restated.
Furthermore, Abdulateef Akinsowon, the Foundation’s Executive Director, expressed concern over the deprivation experienced by inhabitants in rural areas, where access to fundamental necessities such as water, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions is limited.
He criticized the government’s disproportionate attention to urban development over rural community enhancement, deeming it disheartening.
“People here are majorly farmers not into mechanised farming, they will always use their manpower to do everything and you can’t expect them not to have issues. Some health issues they face are bone-related, and High Blood Sugar
“Gone are those days when the government had a whole package for rural dwellers; there used to be a ministry for rural development but unfortunately, the rural dwellers have been thrown to the back, they don’t feel any government’s presence again.”
