Free medical outreach, Ondo reaches out to less privileged

Around 5,000 less-privileged individuals in Ondo State have benefited from a free medical outreach organized by the Otunba Yomi Akingbade Foundation. The initiative aimed to assist both young and old, offering services such as blood pressure checks, health education on chronic and preventive diseases, free medical consultations, basic medication distribution, and awareness on conditions like dementia, hypertension, cholera, and diabetes.

Yomi Akingbade, the organizer, explained that the outreach was designed to mitigate the effects of the recent fuel subsidy removal amid Nigeria’s challenging economic climate. He emphasized the importance of providing basic health education and free consultations to those unable to afford regular medical care.

Akingbade, who grew up in the community, expressed his desire to give back, stating, “This is the best time for me to give back to my community.” He highlighted the difficulties many face in accessing healthcare, noting that many people suffer in silence due to unaffordable hospital bills. He also mentioned the significant investment of nearly N50 million into the outreach, asserting that his motivation was purely philanthropic rather than political, with plans to conduct similar events quarterly.

He urged affluent individuals to assist the underprivileged to help alleviate poverty in the country. Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude, with 67-year-old Yemisi Adeyeye commending the initiative and calling for the government to implement similar outreach programs in rural areas.