Posted by The PM News on
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has disclosed that at least 10,000 indigent people of the state and neighbouring states have so far benefited from the free health mission put together by the State Government and Eko Club International (US).
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has disclosed that at least 10,000 indigent people of the state and neighbouring states have so far benefited from the free health mission put together by the State Government and Eko Club International (US).
Idris, who disclosed this over the weekend, at the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, one of the venues of the exercise, explained that the Free Health Mission Programme, introduced by the State Government for the benefit of the citizen, is in line with one of the campaign promises of the State Governor to make qualitative health care delivery accessible to all residents of Lagos irrespective of income, tribe, race or political inclination.
The Commissioner who described the partnership of Eko Club International (US) as laudable and commendable, further urged other clubs, corporate bodies and wealthy individuals to emulate the good gesture of the club by bringing qualitative medical care services to the doorsteps of the people of the state, adding that on this occasion, apart from providing medical personnel for the mission free of charge, the club also supplied all the drugs used for the medical mission.
Said he, 'this is indeed a commendable gesture by the Eko Club International and I am really happy with this partnership, which I wish to recommend to all other clubs and organisations. I wish to recall that we partnered with the club last year and we are here again this year. As a matter of fact, they have been to Lagos Island, Gbagada, and now they are here at Ikosi-Isheri. When they leave here they are heading to Ikorodu.'
He explained that the scope of services covered by the scheme includes free treatment of malaria, hypertension, diabetes, dental treatment and surgeries, and routine surgeries such as herniorraphy lipon, appendirectomy among others.
The Commissioner, while stressing the commitment of the State Government to the well-being of the populace, said the free health services initiative is geared towards improving systemic performance and ultimately the quality of life of residents especially the vulnerable and indigent, adding that the free health services have been fashioned in line with the Health-Millennium Development Goals, which accords the health of children and mothers who have remained the worst hit victims of poverty and underdevelopment, a priority consideration.
'We are all stakeholders in making qualitative health care affordable and accessible to the people. We therefore bear responsibility to the progress or otherwise recorded in the state, this is the sole reason why we must all work together for the glory of the state,' Idris noted.
According to the Commissioner, the importance of the free health mission cannot be overemphasized, particularly since the Primary Health Care system is currently undergoing restructuring, hence the free medical mission is one of the ways of making people at the grassroots benefit from the healthcare system itself.
The representative of Eko Club International (US), Mr. Tajudeen Abass, expressed the readiness of the Club to continue to support and partner with the state government in its efforts to help ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.