The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility through a medical outreach in Ilogun Orile, a rural community near Imala in Olorunda, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The outreach, conducted under The Doctors Reach Out Programme (TDROP), aimed to address the critical health needs of underserved communities.
Speaking about the initiative, NARD President, Dr. Osundara Tope Zenith, emphasized the importance of health in fostering community productivity and development.
“There can be no productivity and progress in a community without proper attention to their health needs.
“This medical outreach is a strategic process to ensure universal access to quality healthcare, especially in rural settlements,” Dr. Zenith stated.
The president disclosed that the event was supported by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
According to the NARD President, Dr. Salako’s contributions were instrumental to the success of the programme.
Osundara said the outreach provided medical check-ups, treatment for various ailments, and the distribution of essential medications.
He added “For cases requiring advanced care, patients were referred to larger healthcare facilities.
The outreach also targeted the prevention of communicable diseases through early diagnosis and treatment.
“Some of these communities are grappling with preventable illnesses. With medical check-ups and the supply of drugs, we believe we have treated several ailments and curbed the spread of diseases,” Dr. Zenith added.
The Community leaders of Ilogun Orile collaborated with a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists, and volunteers from the Help Is Here Foundation to ensure the programme’s success.
Dr. Osundara reiterated NARD’s commitment to replicating such initiatives in other underserved areas with increased support.
“With more backing, we will continue to extend our reach, ensuring that no community is left behind in accessing quality healthcare,” he said.
The outreach highlights the crucial role of collaborative efforts between government agencies, medical professionals, and community stakeholders in bridging the healthcare gap in Nigeria’s rural areas.
