Sanwo-olu kicks off free healthcare for children
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, at the weekend, flagged off a free healthcare programme aimed at combating organ impairment and life-threatening ailments in children.
The initiative tagged “healthy bee project” is a component of the state government’s development agenda to reposition healthcare and give disadvantaged children access to quality medical care.
The free medical mission is organised in collaboration with Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH) Healthcare Mission International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The four-week programme will commence with a six-day screening in seven
Primary Healthcare Centres ( PHCS) across the state, after which those whose conditions require higher medical examinations and surgeries will be taken to the tertiary healthcare facilities for the exercise free of charge.
Flagging off the healthcare project at the premises of Lagos Television, on Friday, Sanwo-olu, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said the programme had been designed to keep children fit for their study and activities that would make them attain their potential.
He encouraged parents to utilise the opportunity to take their children for screening and treatment for medical conditions that can limit their mental and physical development.
“If children lack access to good health facilities and quality medical attention, they might lose their ability and functionality. We want to help them fight ailments that can put them at disadvantage. This is the reason the programme is essential to make sure our children live a good and fulfilling life.
First lady of the state, Ibijoke SanwoOlu, who was at the event, explained that the medical mission was borne out of the commitment of the government to bringing down the rate of childhood diseases and disabilities.
She said children whose conditions required advanced care would be examined by a team of children health experts and surgeons from the United States, Europe and Nigeria who are volunteers in the mission.
She said: “As a mother and medical doctor, I understand the momentous mileage we stand to gain from this strategic intervention championed by the state government in partnership with BOSKOH Lagos Healthcare Mission International.
“Anything we do for our children today will definitely play a key role in the adults they grow to become in future, and this healthy bee project is specially targeted at building a critical mass of healthy children and adults in the state.”
Executive director of the NGO, Nike Osai, praised the government for approving the medical intervention, stressing that it was an investment the state would not regret.
She said the programme would involve screening for ailments and those found to have visual or hearing impairments will be provided with glasses and hearing aids to help them overcome the condition.