CITIZENS COMPASS— Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (IBLCDA) Ikorodu Division, in Lagos State, has organised a wellness programme for its residents.
The weekend event was held at the Council secretariat where residents aged 40 years and above benefited from free medical services/drugs aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and healthy living.
The outreach, in collaboration with Pure-Heart Wellness Outreach, featured general health checks, medical consultations, tuberculosis (TBS) tests, HIV screening, and the distribution of free medication to residents. It recorded an impressive turnout, with many elderly residents arriving to take advantage of the services provided.
The atmosphere at the venue was calm and vibrant, as medical personnel from the IBLCDA PHC and Pure-Heart Wellness Outreach attended to participants in an orderly manner. Blood pressure and blood sugar tests were conducted, while professional counselling on diet, exercise, and medication compliance was also offered. The initiative was described as part of ongoing efforts to deepen access to basic healthcare at the grassroots level.
The Executive Chairman of IBLCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, at the event reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of the people under the GLORY Agenda, particularly senior citizens who are more susceptible to age-related health conditions. The programme was positioned as a proactive intervention designed to encourage early detection and reduce preventable complications associated with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and infectious illnesses.
For many of the aged beneficiaries, the outreach was received with visible enthusiasm and gratitude. Smiles were seen across faces as free medications were dispensed and health results explained in clear terms. Several participants expressed appreciation for what they described as a thoughtful and timely intervention.
“This initiative has really helped people like us, and we are really thankful to the Chairman and the partners” said 67-year-old Mrs. Abosede Adeyemi, who noted that the cost of routine check-ups often discourages elderly persons from visiting hospitals. “Today, my blood pressure was checked, and I was given drugs without paying. We are very grateful.”
Another beneficiary, Mr. Rasheed Balogun, aged 72, described the outreach as a relief. “At our age, we need constant medical attention. Not all of us can afford frequent hospital visits. This free health program has given us peace of mind,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Felicia Ogundipe, 63, commended the organisers for bringing healthcare closer to the people. “Sometimes we ignore symptoms because of money. But today, we were tested and advised properly. I feel cared for,” she remarked.
The Chief Executive Officer of Pure-Heart Wellness Outreach, Oluwatoyin Ojuri, emphasised the importance of community-based medical initiatives in improving public health outcomes. She noted that routine screening and early diagnosis remain critical tools in reducing mortality rates and improving life expectancy.
Medical Officer of Health of IBLCDA, Dr Gideon Akande at the event also stressed that tuberculosis and HIV testing were essential components of preventive healthcare, adding that early detection enhances treatment success and reduces community transmission. Participants were encouraged to maintain regular check-ups even beyond the outreach.
By the close of the programme, many elderly residents were seen departing the venue expressing satisfaction and renewed confidence about their health status. The Wellness Outreach was regarded as a meaningful step toward strengthening medical welfare and ensuring that good health remains accessible to all, especially the aged within IBLCDA.
