Kunle Adelabu
After taking his medical outreach to the 10 zones of the Community Development Committees (CDCs in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), which are under his leadership as Chairman, Pastor Abayomi Adelakun, has stated that he is a fulfilled man, having achieved what he set out to accomplish.
He reinforced his fulfilment with discoveries of eight residents that are living with high blood pressure and tuberculosis without knowing about it. These patients, he added, have been properly treated and returned to their various homes.
The medical outreach, which started in April at the Ibeshe and later moved to Oke Ota community where he resides, terminated at the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA ICT compound behind the council’s Primary Health Centre in Igbogbo, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, with beneficiaries from other communities in attendance.
Over 1000 residents benefitted from the outreach initiated through Pastor Abayomi Adelakun Footprints, a platform which is solely funded by the community leader.
Like the previous editions, the process at the final medical outreach, starting from the point of registration to weight section, blood pressure test, sugar level examination, doctor’s consultation, eye screening/issuance of free glasses and the drug section where those in need were issued necessary drugs, was seamless and well – coordinated.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Pastor Abayomi Adelakun, the CDC Chairman in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, said that the number of people diagnosed with chronic ailments and treated, gives him fulfilment that the medical outreach achieved its aims.
“So far, I am fulfilled with the medical outreach. During the first edition, we discovered five people that didn’t know that they have high blood pressure. Their BP were above 200 and immediately, we took them to the hospital where they were given proper examination and later discharged”, Pastor Abayomi Adelakun said.
“lt was the same situation when we went for the second edition at Oke Ota, also in Ibeshe. We discovered three residents with high BP and two others with tuberculosis (TB). To the glory of God, all of them have been reinstated to good health condition.
“One of the reporters that covered the event (name and station withheld) didn’t know that he was having BP, but to God be the glory, immediate that he saw the doctor and was told her health condition, we took him to the hospital. He’s back on his feet now. I am fulfilled.
“ Adelakun footprint footed the hospital bills of those discovered with aliments, partially”, he added.
He said that over 1000 residents across the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, benefited from the exercise which was initiated to make grassroots people have access to medical attaentions.
“During the first edition at Ibeshe, we had about 400 people benefitting from the medical outreach, while in the second edition at Oke Ota community, we recorded over 400 beneficiaries and today, we are having over eight communities in Igbogbo; we are having Selewu, Igbogbo community, Elepe, Baiyeku, Offin, Oreta, Oreyo, Agunfoye and Igbe. So, I am expecting between 800 and 1000, because it is a combination of many communities”, he said.
He charged other privileged individuals and groups to embark on assisting people in the grassroots who lacks access to good primary health care, by sponsoring medical initiatives to support what the government is doing.
“Honestly, I want to commend the Lagos State Government and also, my able Chairman, Comrade Sesan Daini. But you know that these government, being the second and third tier, cannot do everything. Individuals and groups like us should be able to complement their efforts and that’s why I am doing this as well”, Pastor Adelakun charged.
In his message to the beneficiaries, he enjoined them on the need to continue to take their health seriously by going for regular medical checkup at the hospital.
“My message to beneficiaries is that even though we have been issuing out enough drugs and we are still going to be giving them today, they still need to consult the hospitals for proper and adequate medical attention”, he said.
“Health is wealth, and they must keep to the doctor’s advice and that has always been my message to them”.
He committed the future of his footprints to God, when asked about what initiative he would be embarking upon next.
“By the special grace of God and as the Lord leads me, I will think of what next to do. If we have to go to the next level, we will surely do that by the special grace of God”, Pastor Adelakun said.
At the Igbogbo centre of the outreach were chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Community Development Committees/Community Development Associations (CDC/CDAs) and many others.
Meanwhile, Mr Adekoya Adedibu, a beneficiary from Agunfoye, commended the initiator of the medical outreach, for his gesture to rural residents.
“I thank Pastor Abayomi Adelakun Footprint, for the opportunity given to the people to know their medical status and for given out free drugs. I have been examined and also given drugs for my high BP, and I am grateful”, he said.
“Through this medical outreach, he is assisting us in no small way to manage our health”.
A resident of Igbogbo, Mrs Folashade, also speaking, said:
“It is not an easy task taking medical outreach round Ibeshe, Oke Ota and other eight zones in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, with qualified medical personnel and today (Saturday), he is also making the opportunity available to others”.
Chief Akintunleso, a community development who came from Bayeku, commended the initiator.
“This is highly commendable. We challenged him when he started the outreach at Ibeshe, that he must spread it across parts of the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and today, he has brought it here for others to benefit”, he said.
“We really appreciate Pastor Adelakun for the medical assistance rendered to the people”.
