100 Women, children vulnerable receive free medical checks

By Stanley Onyekwere

Over a 100 people mainly women, children and the elderly received free medical check-up on Sunday, at Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The free medical outreach, which was organized by JAM-Initiative in Conjunction with Enycare Foundation consisted of malaria tests, blood sugar and Blood Pressure (BP) Checks and free medications.
This was disclosed in an e-signed statement from JAM- Initiative Media Coordinator, Martha Yusuf Shibayan, which was made available to journalists in Abuja.
It said at the event, a Clinical Psychologist, Mrs Velu Alagoa spoke on Mental health challenges and how to avoid it and also identify the symptoms. She advised Women not to over labour themselves and to ensure they do not remain sad for too long in orer not to fall into depression.
Speaking earlier while welcoming participants to the program, Dcns Josie Mudasiru, Founder, JAM- Initiative urged participants to always take advantage of such interventions, to check their health status.
She noted that aside the fact that Government Hospitals have been on strike, “ so many people, especially the vulnerable ones cannot afford medical check-up.”
She particularly encouraged women to always prioritise themselves because the burden of running the family is on them.
Mrs. Mudasiru added that men should see it as a duty to assist with home chores as tasks like cooking, washing and cleaning is not based on gender.
She also reiterated the importance of seeking for help when tired and stressed.
Furthermore, Mudasiru appreciated Dr.Eniola Mudasiru-Dawodu, the Founder of Enycare Foundation( a major sponsor of the medical outreach), FCT Women Affairs Secretariat headed by Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the FCT Health and Environment Services Secretariat, Christ The King Church in Chicago and Gwagwalada Area Council for their Support.
When asked about funding for the NGO’s programme, she said that the bulk of her funding is from her family, friends, colleagues and other people, who believe in her dream and support in one way or the other.
Also, Nurse Cordelia Obi from FCT Department of Public Health spoke on how to avoid diabetes and High Blood Pressure.
Obi encouraged participants to always check their BP, eat the right diet and ensure they exercise as well stay hydrated in order to keep off diseases.
Not left out, Aanisah Ibrahim-Fain, an American based Medical
Student, who volunteered for the event, noted that she enjoyed working with the locals and being able to contribute to bringing medical care to the grassroots.
One of the beneficiaries, Suleiman Sani, a 69-year-old retiree was full of gratitude for the free treatment and medications received.
Similarly, Maimuna Jubril ,a 64-year- old cotton weaver, said she was happy to receive the free medical intervention, because the cost of medication was too expensive for her
Also, Florence Simon, a 64-year-old trader, thanked the organisers for the intervention, even as sh prayed for more of such interventions.
The Royal Father, The Aguma of Gwagwalada, HRH, Alhaji Muhammed Madaki,was represented by the Waziri Gwagwalada, Alhaji Bala Madaki, also expressed excitement over the initiative, and assured continuous support for the future endeavors of JAM- Initiative.
Highlight of the program included the decoration of Dcns Josie Mudasiru with a weaved cloth as a token of appreciation for her humanitarian work; and presentation of gifts to the participants.