Wale Jagun, Mariam Akinloye & Esther
-Woman pleads for club’s intervention in her daughter’s spinal cord problem
It was commendations galore by residents of Lagos Island, as the Eko Club International (ECI) took its free medical mission to Oko Faaji area which is one of the locations across the state scheduled to benefit from the exercise.
Over 1000 residents of Oko Faaji benefited from this year’s edition of the exercise which was held at the Fashola Park on Sunday.
Residents were offered free dental treatment, eye test and eye glasses, BP test, prostrate cancer screening and general tests among others, while beneficiaries were also provided free drugs.
Chief Saheed Olushi, President of Eko Club International, speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the club has continually given back to the communities in Lagos State, through educational intervention, logistics and technology, while stating that medical mission is the Club’s largest intervention project.
“Medical mission is the single largest project that we have. So, every two years, we usually come to Nigeria, with some medical practitioners, medical supplies, drugs and so on.
“We usually take the mission to different locations in Lagos State, especially to the people in remote areas where there are actual needs; where people are under-served and represented. These are our target areas.
“Our mission is always sponsored through the support of members who put together their monies which we use in buying tickets and other materials to bring to the country to serve our people. That is what we are seeing here today”.
He emphasized that the club is all about giving back to communities, helping people in need and developing the grassroots.
The General Secretary of the club who also doubled as Chairman, 2024 Medical Mission, Dr Lola Ogbara Alogba, also emphasized that ECI mission, which started in 2007, is about given back to the people through medical treatment, medication and providing interventions for the communities in Lagos State .
“We usually target between 400 and 500 people in every community that we visited.
“We brought in medical equipment from the US. We shipped in a whole bunch of medical equipment and supplies. We will be donating that at Isolo to the Lagos State Government.
“Today, people are receiving general treatments. They are receiving eye treatments and dental treatments. They are receiving cancer screening. We are as well screening for cervical cancer, prostate cancer and hepatitis B and C”.
The Chairman, 2024 ECI Medical Mission, also stated that apart from the general treatments, orthopedic treatments are also being sponsored in the hospital for children.
“We also have surgeries going on for orthopedic patients at the hospital. We are sponsoring about 20 to 25 orthopedic surgeries for children”, she said.
Also in separate interviews with some of the beneficiaries, they lauded the ECI initiative and commended members for their impacts at the grassroots.
Mrs Yusuf Samiat from Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island, who said that she came for free medical outreach with his son, commended the initiative.
“I came here with my son for the medical checkup. While I came for the general checkup, my son came for his eye’s treatment.
“Their performance is very okay. I give them 100/100. They are doing well. They attended to us very well with respect. Everything went well.
“We really appreciate and thank them a lot”, she said.
Another beneficiary, Nurudeen Onimole from Agarawu area, who came for multiple ailments check up, also said that he was well attended to.
“The reason I am here is because I have back and teeth pains and also malaria. My teeth have been washed and I have been given document to get drugs from the pharmacist.
“I also brought my son too and we were well attended to.
“Eko club international is doing very well. This is not the first time and is not second time. This is the third edition they are doing. The first one, I remember they did it at Olowogbowo area, while the second one was at Epetedo and this is the third one at Oko Faaji. They are doing well”, he said.
Alhaji Tajudeen Oluwaremilekun, who said that he complained about neck pains, also said that he was given treatment.
“I have pains in my back and they have treated it. They have given me drugs to use for it and I am okay with it.
“The pains have been on for about three years, but I have been given drugs to surpress it. I am very excited that they are in my area with this medical outreach. This is a laudable initiative by our people abroad. It is commendable that they are remembering us at home and coming back to give back. I really appreciate them.
“Firstly, they checked my BP and after that, I was referred to a doctor who conducted tests and asked me some questions, and l was later referred to the pharmacist”.
Meanwhile, Olarewaju Oluwakemi, a beneficiary who also brought her 9 year old child, Amira Olarewaju who is suffering from spinal challenges, pleaded with Eko Club International to assist in her treatment.
While pleading for the intervention of Eko Club International, she explained that her ailing daughter has been taken to Igbobi hospital but that she needs large sum of money for her surgery
“I have been attended to, but I also brought my daughter who has a spinal cord problem. I am glad that event like this is taking place here.
“She has been taken to the Igbobi hospital where we have been told that she requires different surgeries by the doctor. I was told I will spend a lot of money, and I don’t have anything. I am appealing to the Eko Club International to help my daughter.
“I want Eko club to help me with this child’s surgery because I am a needy. I work as a carrier and I don’t want to lose this child”, she pleaded.
