BY LAW IBITOYE
Health is wealth and an adage says when hunger is out of terrible situations, others are minor. Again, not fewer than two Hundred and Fifty residents of Oke-Emo community in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State have enjoyed free medical outreach by the Elemo in council under the leadership of Chief Gbenga Agbona.
The beneficiaries who were of different age groups were drawn from the five quarters of the community ; Ilero, Oke-lemo Idofin, Ijimo and Oke-Gbede
Recall that a fortnight ago, the community distributed food items worth several millions of naira to her residents with the inscription that no one goes to bed with “empty stomach”
Again, two hundred and fifty residents had themselves examined and tested for sugar, blood , general consultation and blood pressure test as confirmed by the leader of the medical team, Dr. John Oguntoye who is also a native of the community.
According to Dr. Oguntoye” the beneficiaries with mild ailments were given free drugs while those whose cases required further test and treatment were referred to hospitals.
Earlier before the treatment, the residents were sensitised by the Health Educator, Ekiti State Primary Health Care, Mrs Olajumoke Oguntoye who advised them to always eat balanced diet, take more fruits, vegetables and drinks plenty of water
She also encouraged them to engage in mild exercise, sleep well and engage in test so as to identify on time whatever ailment that may affect their health.The beneficiaries were also informed about the free health programme of the state government which include free malaria treatments for aged, free treatments for pregnant women and children in all health centres urging them to take advantage of the opportunity.
In an interview, the Elemo of Oke-Emo, High Chief Gbenga Agbona said the free health service was a quarterly event initiated by him to give succour to his people especially those with low income.
He said the programme which started five years ago had indeed saved many lives and gave sense of belonging to the people.
High Chief Agbona noted that more initiatives would be introduced to make life better for the people of the community.
In a separate interview some of the beneficiaries thanked the Elemo for the free health care which they described as a life saver. Some of them arrested that they had been living with the diagnosed ailments for years for lack of money to seek medical attention.