The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday facilitated a free medical outreach at Agboyi Ori Omi, an island in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The outreach, organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Health District 2 and the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps, provided oral health checks, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, tuberculosis screening, HIV testing and counselling, eye examinations with free glasses, as well as treatment of minor ailments and free medication.
Gbajabiamila, represented by Mr Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency I, said health remained a top priority for citizens, including those at the grassroots.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration placed strong emphasis on healthcare delivery.
“The tests are done here, we are here for on-the-spot treatment when diagnosis is being done. I think this is very laudable and it is in partnership with the Lagos State Government. We want people to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
Gbajabiamila reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the standard and quality of healthcare nationwide.
Also speaking, Mr Lukmon Lawal, Special Adviser on Budget and Finance to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, commended Gbajabiamila for his sustained efforts to improve access to healthcare across the country.
Lawal said Gbajabiamila had consistently demonstrated compassion for ordinary citizens and contributed to their well-being through initiatives in healthcare, education, and empowerment.
“Bringing healthcare to one of the most forgotten communities in Lagos is commendable. Without improvement in healthcare, household income and education will suffer. So anytime, any day, we are winning with qualitative healthcare,” he said.
Lawal added that the medical mission would continue at the Primary Health Centre in Ketu on Tuesday, and at Ikorodu for two days beginning Wednesday, as part of the “Renewed Hope” message to communities across Lagos and Nigeria.
Dr Dayo Lajide, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District 2, commended Gbajabiamila for the initiative, noting that Agboyi Ori Omi was a difficult area to reach and the residents greatly needed medical services.
“It is a big deal for us because we have over 41,000 people living on this island,” she said, adding that the state government was working to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre on the island.
In her remarks, Mrs Adetola Abubakar, Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and thanked Gbajabiamila for his intervention.
“Every aspect of our national life is being taken care of. The Chief of Staff, like the President, has the welfare of the citizens at heart, bringing this very important healthcare project to us,” she said.
Abubakar also commended the Lagos State Health District 2 and the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps — an international non-governmental and non-profit organisation — for their roles in delivering quality medical services.
She lauded the NGO’s philosophy that healthcare should transcend borders, politics, and religion, promoting equitable access to medical care for all.
“This unique medical outreach is put together to help solve the health challenges of many Nigerians, and to God be the glory, the train is stopping at Agboyi-Ketu today,” she added.
(NAN)