NGO provides free healthcare to Ibadan households             – Tribune Online

A non-governmental organisation, Mission for BetterLife in Slum Initiative (MBS), in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Health, has provided free medical services to children aged 6 to 12 years across 50 households in the Beere community of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The outreach, recently held at Oke Are Primary Health Centre, was part of the efforts to improve access to basic healthcare services among underserved populations and to address the growing burden of untreated ailments among children in low-income communities.

In a statement issued by the organisers, the initiative was designed to “impact lives meaningfully and give back to the community,” noting that many families in the area struggle to afford routine medical care.

Speaking during the exercise, the programme coordinator of MBS, Mrs Tehillah Israel, said the outreach was organised in response to the evident healthcare challenges faced by many families in the community.

“It is clear that many children here are dealing with illnesses that could easily be prevented or treated, but their families are unable to afford proper medical care. Through this outreach, we aim to close that gap and ensure every child has access to the healthcare they need, regardless of their financial situation,” Israel said.

He added that services provided during the outreach included medical consultations, distribution of essential drugs, blood pressure/glucose test, malaria testing and treatment, as well as health education sessions for parents and guardians.

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Also speaking, a community health practitioner, simply identified as Mrs Adeoye, commended the initiative, describing it as a critical complement to government efforts in improving primary healthcare delivery.

“Partnerships like this are key to reaching vulnerable populations, especially in densely populated areas, like Beere. The government cannot do it alone. So, we welcome collaborations that help expand access to healthcare services at the grassroots level,” she said.

Adeoye urged residents to take advantage of government health facilities and the ongoing public health programmes, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed gratitude to the organisers, describing the intervention as timely and impactful

Residents of the Beere community also lauded the initiative and called for its sustainability, urging both government and private organisations to replicate similar programmes in other underserved areas.