Rotary RMCH Holds Joint Community Medical Outreach for Ekiti Residents

Rotary Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) Action Group, in collaboration with the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has organised a joint medical outreach across Ado, Ijero and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.

Speaking during the outreach in Ado-Ekiti, the Rotary Action Group representative, Mr Ayo-Maria Olofinkua, said the initiative was aimed at expanding access to life-saving healthcare services and addressing maternal and child health challenges.

Olofinkua said the outreach was also designed to bring healthcare services closer to communities and build sustainable systems capable of functioning independently.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of beneficiaries and urged residents to take advantage of such programmes to improve their health and wellbeing.

According to him, the outreach covered five communities, namely Odo-Ado, Eminrin and Adere in Ado-Ekiti, as well as Are-Ekiti and Ipoti-Ekiti.

“The locations were carefully selected to sensitise stakeholders and residents on practical steps to address local health challenges,” he said.

Also speaking at the outreach in Are-Ekiti, the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Officer, Mrs Omolara Asonibare, said the programme reflected Rotary’s vision that no pregnant woman or child should die from preventable causes.

Asonibare said similar engagements were ongoing in Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gombe and Nasarawa states under the PoS project, “Together for a Healthy Family in Nigeria,” being implemented under the leadership of the Country Director and National Coordinator, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju.

She explained that the free outreach provided comprehensive healthcare services, including medical consultations, check-ups, treatment, family planning services and distribution of essential drugs.

According to her, beneficiaries were attended to by skilled healthcare workers, including nurses, midwives, Community Health Officers (CHOs), Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, medical records technicians and social mobilisation officers.

Asonibare added that Rotarians from various Rotary Clubs also participated in the outreach activities.

She said residents turned out in large numbers to access healthcare services, while expectant mothers from seven months pregnancy and above received birthing kits.

The Ekiti State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Bukola Adekemi, said the state government had taken deliberate steps to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Adekemi noted that government had made family planning commodities and services available, provided free malaria testing and treatment, and continued to promote healthy living.

She urged residents to patronise public health facilities, noting that the facilities had been upgraded and equipped by the current administration to improve healthcare delivery.

The coordinator commended Rotary International for its continued partnership and support over the years, saying the intervention had significantly improved health outcomes in the state.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr Kolawole Olowoyo, Chairman of the Ward Development Committee of the Primary Health Centre, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, appreciated the organisers for the initiative.

He said the outreach would greatly improve the health and wellbeing of members of the community.