The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel, has partnered with a US-based medical outfit, Mercy International Medical Mission Inc., to provide free healthcare services for over 500 Public Affairs Officers of the State Government.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, NUJ Lagos State Information Chapel, Comrade Debo Adeniji, stated that the medical mission was initiated to ensure that all Public Affairs Officers in the Lagos State Public Service know their health status and to raise their consciousness on the need to be deliberate about living healthy.
His words: “Many of our members engage in rigorous assignments as they work day and night at their respective MDAs to promote the image of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in line with its T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
“We deemed it fit to organise the medical mission in order to certify the health of our members, address their health challenges and ensure they are all in a good state of health, as health is wealth.
“The health mission is, therefore, to complement the various initiatives put in place by the Lagos State Government towards improving the health of its staff.
Adeniji also appreciated the Founder, Mercy International Medical Mission Inc (USA), Dr. Erelu Anu Esuola, her team and health personnel from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Tolu Ajomale, for their support in ensuring the success of the programme.
Also speaking, the Founder of Mercy International Medical Mission noted that a similar event had been organised for staff in the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, affirming that it is her own way of empowering and giving back to the citizenry.
“Ours is a community outreach primarily aimed at emancipating people medically. We go around; we try to examine and test people, then we refer them to appropriate quarters, where they would be further treated. We test and examine adults or the elderly for such ailments as diabetes, eye problems, high blood pressure, malaria and others”, she explained.
Commending the leadership of NUJ Lagos Information Chapel for the initiative, Dr. Esuola urged other public-spirited and highly placed individuals in the State and country at large to emulate her organisation in order to liberate people, especially the indigent, from ailments and diseases.
A member of the Chapel and Public Affairs Officer with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr. Jamiu Dosunmu, commended the leadership of the NUJ Information Chapel and Mercy International Medical Mission for the opportunity provided through the health check, while he also advised members to always take care of their health.
Officers were checked for high blood pressure, malaria, diabetes, dental and eye ailments among others.
