Kogi Govt Conducts Free Medical Outreach For 1,000 Residents In Okene

The Kogi State Ministry of Health has organized a free medical outreach for over 1,000 residents of Agasa community and its environs in Okene Local Government Area of the state.

The outreach, held at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Agasa, was coordinated by the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, as part of ongoing efforts to complement government healthcare initiatives and improve access to medical services at the grassroots.

Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Adeiza said the initiative was aimed at giving back to the people and demonstrating appreciation for the continuous support enjoyed by the government at both the state and national levels.

He explained that the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that rural communities have access to quality medical services.

According to him, the exercise featured a large team of healthcare professionals drawn from various medical institutions across the state. The team included 23 doctors from different specialties, 30 nurses and midwives, eight community health workers, five pharmacists, seven pharmacy technicians, three laboratory scientists, one optometrist, four hospital attendants, 20 support staff, and 12 drivers.

Residents reportedly began arriving at the Agasa PHC as early as 7:00 a.m. to benefit from the free healthcare services. Medications, eyeglasses, medical supplies, and other consumables were distributed free of charge to beneficiaries.

Patients who required surgical procedures were referred to the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Okene, for free surgeries, while several complicated medical cases were referred for advanced care.

The programme also featured health talks, sensitization campaigns, and public health education sessions focused on healthy living, disease prevention, and the dangers of self-medication.

Among the services rendered during the exercise were outpatient consultations, laboratory tests, diagnostic X-ray services for tuberculosis screening, distribution of prescribed medications, mass distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and health awareness campaigns.

More than 50 surgical cases were identified and referred for free surgical treatment during the exercise.

The Chief Medical Director of the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Okene, Dr. Shuaibu Stephen, described the initiative as a landmark healthcare intervention in the state.

He noted that the programme demonstrated the high priority the Kogi State Government places on the health sector and commended the administration for expanding access to quality healthcare for rural dwellers.

Dr. Stephen added that community members expressed excitement and appreciation for the initiative, while the medical team was proud to offer professional healthcare services at no cost.

Other speakers at the event also described the programme as a commendable effort aimed at improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

They encouraged residents to make better use of Primary Healthcare Centres and avoid self-medication, emphasizing the importance of accessing genuine drugs through recognized healthcare facilities.

They assured beneficiaries that the medical team remained fully committed to ensuring everyone who attended the outreach received adequate medical attention and professional treatment.

The programme attracted heads of various health institutions and agencies in the state, including Dr. Ayo Olayemi, Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board; Dr. Monday Adejoh, Head of the Kogi State HIV/AIDS Control Agency; and Dr. Adekunle Aledare of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency.

Others present were Pharm. Ibrahim Salamat Onize, Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Drugs Management Agency; Mr. Maji Enoch, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Mr. Johnson Aiyedogbon, Director of PRS; Mallam Salihu Idris, Director of Accounts at the Ministry of Health; Dr. Anaza Duro James Joseph, Provost of the Kogi State School of Nursing, Obangede; Dr. Bola Emmanuel Jonah, Desk Officer of the State SWAP Programme; alongside other top government and health officials.

Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed appreciation to the Kogi State Government and the Ministry of Health, describing the initiative as timely, impactful, and beneficial to rural communities.