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By Muinat Usman
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called for sustained investment in primary healthcare to improve access to quality medical services in rural and underserved communities.
Fagbemi made the call during a two-day medical and surgical outreach organised for indigent residents of Ijagbo and neighbouring communities in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The outreach is expected to benefit about 1,500 residents through medical consultations, laboratory investigations, pharmaceutical services and selected minor surgical procedures.
The Minister said the initiative was designed to complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda by bringing essential healthcare services closer to people at the grassroots.
He stressed the need for medical interventions in rural communities to be sustained rather than treated as one-off programmes, noting that the large turnout at the exercise underscored the level of healthcare needs in underserved communities.
Fagbemi also disclosed that plans were underway to extend similar interventions to other towns and villages within the local government area before the end of the year.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to quality medical services at the grassroots.
On the migration of Nigerian health professionals abroad, popularly known as “Japa”, the Minister said the development had both positive and negative implications for the country.
He noted that the demand for Nigerian-trained doctors and other health professionals by foreign countries was an indication of the quality of training and competence of Nigerian professionals.
Fagbemi, however, stressed the need for increased investment in the training and certification of health workers, adding that some Nigerian professionals who had gained experience abroad were returning to contribute to the development of the country’s health sector.
The Onijagbo of Ijagbo, Oba Sharafadeen Babalola, commended the Minister for the initiative, describing it as an indication of the importance attached to the health and wellbeing of the people.
Oba Babalola urged residents of Ijagbo and neighbouring communities to take advantage of the programme and adhere strictly to medical advice provided by health professionals.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ijagbo Community Health Committee, Dr Wale Adeoti, appreciated Fagbemi for the intervention.
Dr Adeoti advised beneficiaries to strictly follow the medical advice and prescriptions given by healthcare professionals.
The medical team said beneficiaries were receiving health education and promotion, vital-sign checks, medical consultations, laboratory investigations and pharmacy services.
The team, comprising six doctors and other health professionals, is also screening patients with surgical and eye-related conditions for selected day-case procedures.
The procedures include removal of lipomas, herniorrhaphy and pterygium surgeries, with patients requiring such interventions scheduled for surgery on the second day of the outreach and expected to return home afterwards.
A member of the Health Advisory Committee, Professor Uthman Mubashir, said the outreach was targeted at residents of Ijagbo and surrounding communities.
Professor Mubashir, an expert in Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said common health conditions identified during the exercise included hypertension, diabetes, ulcers and musculoskeletal pains.
He said the outreach also featured screening for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, malaria and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Professor Mubashir added that some cases of hernia, hydrocele and other lumps were detected for possible surgical intervention.
Royal fathers and other dignitaries at the event included the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Dr Abdulrasak Afolabi; the Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Oba Dr Abdulrasak Abioye; and the Onira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyetoro.
Editing: Abdullah Ahmed
