Youths under the aegis of the Gbadun Squad, Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Lagos, on Saturday organised a medical outreach during which 200 residents and non-residents were screened.

Speaking with journalists, its chairman, Bankole Adebayo, said the medical check-up was the maiden edition and targeted persons aged 40 and above.

Mr Adebayo said the free check-ups covered blood pressure, diabetes and malaria, adding that the initiative was aimed at supporting the elderly, vulnerable and persons with disabilities in the community.

“We counselled those with BP and diabetes, gave anti-malarial drugs to participants free.

“We referred those with further medical needs to the hospitals,” he said.

Mr Adebayo said the turnout was impressive and high.

Also, the medical director of Saint Green Hospital, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Delu Onipede, said participants were treated based on their diagnoses.

Mr Onipede said the youth group had requested that they specifically screen for blood pressure, diabetes and malaria when approached for medical support.

“So far, what we are finding is that most of them have malaria to varying degrees.

“We are finding that people aged 40 and above have high blood sugar, even though they had not eaten.

“We also found high blood pressure among the elderly, even though they are not overweight,” he said.

Mr Onipede said those with high blood sugar and diabetes were counselled on management, including watching their diet, while those diagnosed with malaria were given drugs.

He said many people did not check their blood pressure regularly because they were unaware of its importance.

He noted that many people only began to pay attention to their blood pressure after hearing stories about stroke, heart attack and hypertension, but their commitment to treatment often did not match their concern.

A septuagenarian, Kolawole Alaka, said the youth group had done well by bringing relief through the medical outreach.

Mr Alaka said he was delighted that the youth shunned violence and social vices to embrace an initiative beneficial to the elderly.

He said he was happy to have his vitals checked, noting that it was the group’s first outreach of its kind and that some elderly people could not afford hospital visits.

Another participant, Moji Adesoji, said she came with her mother to have her vitals checked.

Ms Adesoji, who expressed gratitude to the group, said the drugs provided would help treat the malaria detected during her mother’s screening. 

(NAN)