300 people benefit from RCCG branch medical outreach on its 26th anniversary

On Saturday, more than 300 adults and children benefited from a medical outreach conducted by a Redeemed Christian Church of God area headquarters to commemorate its 26th anniversary.

The outreach was organised by the Calvary Area Headquarters in Lagos Province 89 in partnership with the Chike Okoli Foundation, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Plc., and Pharmatex Industries.

Oshodi serves as the area headquarters.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the medical outreach included free consultations, blood pressure checks, blood sugar screening, deworming, a body mass index check, and a comprehensive check-up.

Mr Jeffrey Aganbi, the Pastor-in-Charge of the region, stated during the ceremony that the church was committed to community development.

He stated that the headquarters began an annual medical outreach in 2018 by the inspiration of God in order to give back to society.

He claimed that the government could not meet all of the residents’ basic necessities.

“The programme is yet another way for us to reach out to our immediate community and help provide free solutions to their health challenges through nurses and doctors,” he explained.

Aganbi complimented the management of Chike Okoli Foundation, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Plc., and Pharmatex Industries for assisting the church in providing assistance to those in need.

He stated that the celebration, which began on Tuesday with the theme “Generational Blessings,” would conclude on Sunday with a thanksgiving service.

Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, a family physician and the Head of Medical Service at the Federal College of Education Medical Centre in Akoka, Lagos State, lauded the church’s gesture.

Adesanya, who was part of the medical team at the event, stated that many Nigerians avoid medical treatment due to financial constraints.

“What the church is doing is good for society; it supplements what the government is doing.”

“The truth is that many people are currently unable to access healthcare due to the current economic situation.”

“People don’t have enough money to even get to the hospital, and many of our people receive out-of-pocket treatment; they don’t have health insurance, so they pay out of their own pockets.”

“Now that money is scarce, many people cannot go to the hospital,” he explained, “but the church provides this service for free.”

According to Adesanya, some persons with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition.

“Many people with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it, and they lack the financial resources to purchase medications.”

“The church is providing them with free drugs; we also saw many malaria cases and advised them to sleep with insecticide-treated nets,” Adesanya explained.

Adesanya urged Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles by decreasing salt intake, exercising regularly, and eating well.

He believes that prevention is preferable to cure.

Mrs Esther Ayo of the Chike Okoli Foundation, who was also on the medical team, stated that many people were hypertensive, while others were diabetic without realising it.

Ayo stated that many of the beneficiaries were aware of their health conditions as a result of the medical outreach.

She stated that the medical outreach provided community members with the opportunity to learn about their medical conditions and have access to free drugs.

Ayo stated that the organisation was delighted to collaborate with the church in order to demonstrate love to the community.

Mrs Ifeyinwa Obi, one of the recipients, praised the church for its annual medical outreach, saying it was a reputable organisation. (NAN