Group Provides Medical Assistance, Free Drugs for Rural Community in Oyo State

A non-governmental organization known as TEDxApata has organised a health awareness outreach to provide free medical assistance, drugs and face-masks to the people of Bako community of Apata Ibadan in Oyo State to support the community living without a primary health care centre.

TEDxApata is an independently organised group licensed by TED, a nonpartisan nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas that can spark conversations that will eventually bring change to society.

As part of its plans, the health awareness outreach held on Saturday 3 October was in collaboration with Junior Chamber International Nigeria University College Hospital (JCIN UCH) Protem local organization and Platinum Pharmacy.

The lead organiser and licensee, Hikmah Tiamiyu, said the health outreach is to provide medical assistance to the community faced with the challenge of living without a single health care centre among other issues faced by Bako community.

“This health awareness outreach is to solve one among the challenges faced by Bako community to provide medical assistance to the members of the community including children, youths and old ones.

“We conducted a series of test for them, and we also distributed facemasks as a COVID-19 preventive measure.

“We really appreciate the host community for their accommodation and showing up for health outreach. The program supported over 100 people with medical assistance.

“I also appreciate the effort of my team members and our partners for making this outreach a successful one.”

Reacting to the health outreach, Adesina Tiamiyu, the leader of the Bako community, a beneficiary of the medical assistance, lauded the outreach team for coming at a very crucial time.

He said: “We cannot begin to express our feelings for this health outreach; it came at a time when members of the community really need it. We are also using this medium to urge local and state government to help us with a primary health care centre, as it is one of our major challenges.”

Another beneficiary of the program, Olawoyin Rasheedat, expressed her happiness on the program. She said: “I like the fact that health awareness is open to all members of the community irrespective of age, gender or religion. We hope to have more of this kind of outreach in future.”

Similarly, Alaba Razaq, another participant, expressed how beneficial the outreach would be for the entire community: “This awareness came at a good time, I hope this sends a message to other non-governmental organisations and the government to help with us with a primary health care centre at least.”

Hassan Aderinto, JCIN UCH Protem local organisation president, expressed his happiness about the partnership: “We are glad for this partnership to support Bako community. We were able to conduct a series of test ranging from Malaria parasite test, Blood pressure test, Temperature and Blood sugar level test for the community members, young and old present.”