Kwara NMA Chairman, Dr Ahmed offers free health services to Ilorin communities
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
A general medical practitioner, Dr Abdulkadri Ahmed has conducted a free healthcare services for three communities namely, Gbagba, Adifa and Bolanta, all within Ilorin East Local Government Area in Kwara State.
This year’s edition, the fourth in the series is usually organized annually to mark the medical practitioner’s birthday and to give back to the society.
Healthcare services offered at the medical outreach include blood pressure tests, glucose level test, pulse rate, temperature check and eye tests.
Speaking with WESTERN POST during the exercise on Sunday, the organizer who doubles as the Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA), said the exercise targeted 500 beneficiaries for the medical and surgical consultation and about 100 for eye care services which he said has been increased due to the growing number of would-be beneficiaries.
Dr Ahmed said, “It’s just my little way of giving back to where I came from. This is my community, this is where I was born and brought up, this is where I was educated and trained. So, it just my little way of giving back to the society.
“I started it four years ago using it to mark my birthday. Coincidentally, this year’s birthday fell on Ramadan period. So, with the community’s support, we planned it in such a way that we can have good participation from both beneficiaries and health workers.
“We have Gbagba, Adifa and Bolanta communities and any other person that is around will be attended to.
“Our plan target is 500 beneficiaries for general medical and surgical consultation. The last time I checked we have seen about 400 people, for eye care I planned for 50, we have seen close to 100 now. We planned to give out only 40 glasses, with the turnout we have increased the glasses to 80
“Test are being done, blood glucose is checked, BP, pulse, temperature, malaria tests are done. They see the doctors who prescribe drugs and they get it at our stand here. We give health education and refer if there is need for it. We have referred about 10 people because of the severity of their cases” he said.
Dr Ahmed said though the exercise is only once in a year but diseases do not strike only once in a year as it occur any time. This according to him is an eye opener that anyone diagnosed of a disease need to follow up on it to remain healthy continuously.
Dr. Ahmed appealed to other individuals in the communities with the capacity to help to do so for the betterment of the communities.
Speaking, a beneficiary, Asmau Musa, who came for eye check up, commended the gesture and prayed for more progress for the brain behind the healthcare services.
She urged other well meaning children of the communities to emulate the gesture as done by the organizer.
Similarly, the Vice President, Gbagba Descendants Association, Habib Ahmed, applauded the initiative, adding that this year’s edition has more beneficiaries in addition to youth sports talent discovery.
He urged the youth of the communities to pick lessons from the health talk given and shun drugs abuse as advised.
Another beneficiary, AbudulRafiu Saheed who came for general check up, said the gesture has helped the community at large.
The Dr Ola Ahmed annual free medical services 2024 edition started on 20th of April with games among the youth, youth engagement on danger of drug abuse and was rounded off the second day with free medical and surgical screening/consultation as well as free eye screening and distribution of free eye glasses.
