By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – NOT less than 500 residents in Benin City, Ogheghe community and environs have benefitted from a three-day free medical outreach organised by the management of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City.

The outreach which took place at the premises of the hospital at Ogheghe-Osemwende, a community in the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area also had persons from neighbouring communities of Ologbo, Obagie, and surrounding areas and also from several communities in Delta State as beneficiaries.

Despite being primarily an orthopaedic hospital, common ailments like malaria, typhoid, hypertension, screening and vaccination for Hepatitis B and C, and HIV and AIDS screening were also carried out in view of the prevalence of these medical conditions in the locality.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the Dr Philip Ugbodaga, a maxillofacial traumatologist said the outreach was part of the contribution of the hospital to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose love for efficient and effective healthcare is unparalleled and unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and to give back to its host and adjoining communities.

He said they received treatments “for musculoskeletal diseases such as chronic back pain, arthritis, tendinitis, and muscle strains.

“Others were physiotherapy, antenatal services, glucose checks, eye and dental checks, family planning services, health talks, among others.”

He added that the medical intervention was also to complement the efforts of the federal ministry of health and social welfare’s 4-point agenda and to promote awareness on available services at the only federal orthopaedic hospital in the entire south south geopolitical zone of the country as well as the importance of regular health checks.

“We are determined to focus on a patient-centred care system that provides the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. As a newly established federal tertiary health Institution, we will strive to collaborate with the state and local government authorities in Edo State to ensure that the quality of healthcare is optimal for all Nigerians.

“In my years as a practitioner and an administrator, I have come across many instances where people suffer needlessly because they cannot pay for medical services that are available in hospital facilities. This free medical intervention is our own little way of reducing the disease burden in our society.” he said.

Also speaking, Prof Kunle Olawepo, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and the hospital’s Director of Clinical Services and Training appreciated the hospital management for approving the outreach, stressing that the massive turnout signaled it had made the residents more conscious of their health status.

“The very first patient I attended to was the enogie of the community and he expressed profound gratitude to the hospital management for the initiative” because according to him, before the hospital commenced services, the ogheghe-osemwende community and the people in Ikoba-Okha local government, the largest and most populous council area in the state usually go all the way to other health facilities to access specialist healthcare services.

Also speaking, a 69-year old beneficiary, Mrs Abieyuwa Omokaro appreciated the hospital for the free medical services and commended the. federal government for establishing the hospital in the state to cater for their orthopaedic needs