Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro Organises Family Health Days to Improve Health Delivery

Ugo Aliogo, Omotayo Ajayi and Afolabi Lawal

The Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro District 9110 in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organised a three-day family health event as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Obalende, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, the President Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro District 9110, Laurine Ubanozie, said the programme afforded the club opportunity to reach out to their communities and carry out health tests, while campaigning about self-health and personal hygiene. “As a club we create awareness for people to live healthy through regular medical checkup.”

She also stated that in the course of carrying out medical exercise, if people are diagnosed with illness, they are treated, while cases that cannot be handled are referred to the appropriate medical facilities for the right care.

Ubanozie further stated that as part of activities for the exercise, tests were carried out on diabetics, glucose, hypertension and malaria. There was also the distribution of free mosquito nets, drugs, condoms and the distribution of sanitary towels. The importance of sex education was also emphasised during the activities.

She remarked that the event was organised yearly as a tradition in the club n collaboration with Rotary International Districts over the years. Ubanozie further noted that the club has made remarkable progress with the initiative, stressing that the turnout has been wonderful. “It was a three-day event which was planned to have more 2,000 participants.”

According to Ubanozie, the nooks and crannies of Obalende were combed including under the bridge to ensure people got free medical tests and relevant drugs.

She added: “There was a counseling session conducted for participants by the health workers present. They were advised on what to do and given referral forms and encouraged to do a follow-up. We usually collect the data to track the follow-up exercises. In terms of performance it has been wonderful. For instance, in 2016, we saved six persons whose blood sugars were very high. They were taken to the Hospital.

“Also, in 2016 we discovered 13 persons who had HIV and they were counseled on what to do by the health workers. In terms of funding, we receive support from USAID and Rotary International District 9110 in the area of drugs/ logistics and contributions from my club members. The local government council supports by providing medical staff to carry out the tests. The council also provides the venue and other resources within their reach for the exercise.”