Report By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Government has announced the resumption of its free medical outreach programme, “Alaafia Eko,” scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. This initiative, which will operate across 12 designated centres within the state’s six health districts, aims to provide essential healthcare services to over 50,000 residents.
The “Alaafia Eko” medical outreach is a critical component of the broader “Eko Cares” programme, an intervention strategy launched by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to mitigate the economic challenges faced by Lagos residents. The first phase of the outreach, held on May 30, 2024, saw thousands of participants receiving free medical check-ups, treatments, medications, and health insurance packages.
Speaking at a press briefing over the weekend, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, provided details on the upcoming outreach. “We have finalized preparations to resume the ‘Alaafia Eko’ medical outreach on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 12 centres across our six health districts. This outreach, which should have resumed earlier, was temporarily put on hold due to the cholera outbreak, which has now been successfully contained,” she explained.
Dr. Ogunyemi also highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative, stating, “The initiative was conceived by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of his administration’s Eko Cares, a package of measures to alleviate the economic hardship faced by residents. ‘Alaafia Eko’ is specifically designed to address the rising costs of medications and healthcare services.”
The designated centres for the medical outreach span across the state’s six health districts, ensuring accessibility for residents in various localities:
Health District I: Ikotun-Igando LCDA Secretariat, Ikotun Bus-Stop, and Meiran Motor Park, opposite Meiran PHC, Meiran Bus Stop.
Health District II: Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Mikkson Onas Hall, after Stadium, Bola Hammed Road, Igbogbo, and Ikorodu North LCDA, Farm Settlement Community Primary School, Odogunyan.
Health District III: Ikoyi Obalende LCDA, Old School of Nursing, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, and Eredo LCDA, Eredo Local Council Development Area Secretariat, Eredo.
Health District IV: Apapa LGA, Marian Academy, 144 Gaskiya Road, Badia, Apapa-Iganmu, and Surulere LGA, Surulere LG Secretariat, 24, Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere.
Health District V: Oriade LCDA Secretariat, Alhaji Baruwa Street, Satellite Town, and Layeni PHC Compound, 246, Ojo Road, Ajegunle.
Health District VI: Isolo LCDA, Ansarudeen Primary School, Ile-Ibadan Bus Stop, Mushin Road, Isolo, and Odi-Olowo LCDA, Ajenifuja Primary School No. 2, Ajenifuja Street, Mushin.
Residents attending these centres from 9 am will have access to a range of free services, including blood sugar and blood pressure checks, treatment for minor ailments, free medications, HIV counselling and testing, health insurance registration, eye checks and eyeglasses, and health talks.
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Residents will also have the opportunity to register for the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) card at the venues without any cost.
The “Alaafia Eko” outreach, along with other “Eko Cares” initiatives such as “Ounjè Eko” (which offers food items at reduced prices) and a 25% fare reduction on all government transportation platforms, underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to cushioning the effects of economic hardship on its residents.