8th October, 2022
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Edo North Branch, said no fewer than 500 people will benefit from its free healthcare services.
The president of NAS, Edo North branch, Mr Odion Dirisu, stated this during the flag-off of a one-day Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers in Ogbido, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo on Saturday.
Dirisu said the programme, tagged “NAS Medical Mission”, is in collaboration with Okavango Deck South Africa and Rahi Hospital Limited.
According to him, the programme Is aimed at promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.
“The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) was founded in 1952 with the cardinal objective to protect the weak in the society.
“This free health service Is initiated by the Association of Seadogs as part of our humanitarian service to assist rural communities to meet their health needs.
“Ogbido is at a disadvantage because this community has not witnessed any free healthcare service.
“We did our survey and at the end, Ogbido was chosen as the next community to benefit from the free healthcare service,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Rahi Hospital, Dr Chris Ekiyor, said that the outreach targeted indigent people in rural communities in key areas such as general consultation and surgical referrals and dental consultation.
Ekiyor said the interventions also included prostrate cancer tests and paediatric care as well as the distribution of free eyeglasses and drugs.
According to him, others were screening for common ailments among the elderly and children; diabetes, HIV, typhoid fever, malaria test, hypertension and deworming of little children, among others.
“During the exercise medical volunteers will carry out diagnosis, treatment and medical procedures while drugs, eyeglasses and other medical consumables are also given to patients free of charge.
“So far, we have attended to 200 persons and our target is 500 persons through our free health medical outreach,” he said.
Ekiyor said that the association also focused on sensitising the people toward handling threats posed by deadly viral diseases to complement government efforts in preventing diseases.
He urged communities to imbibe personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness as preventive measures against an outbreak.
“Health is wealth; they (people) should take their health seriously, when they hear anything, especially free medical care, they should come out en-mass and use the opportunity to test themselves,’’ Ekiyor said.
The village head of Ogbido, Chief Sadiq Imhonikhe, and some of the beneficiaries, who spoke to NAN, thanked the foundation for the gesture and urged people in the community to come out en mass for the free medical service.
“This is the first time Ogbido community is witnessing free medical services.
“This a great initiative and we appreciate the Association of Seadogs for the outreach,” they said.
The National Association of Seadogs is an independent, humanitarian organisation offering free medical care to indigents across the world.
The organisation is a volunteer group engaged in healthcare promotion in disadvantaged communities.