The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Ogun 1 command chapter, Idiroko, says over 450 residents benefitted from a two-day free medical outreach it conducted in the state.

Zakari Chado, the command’s public relations officer (PRO), made this known in a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Idiroko.

She said COWA organised the outreach for residents of its host communities, its members, customs officers and men, as well as personnel of sister agencies in the state.

According to Ms Chado, the initiative is part of COWA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its continuous efforts towards promoting quality health in Idiroko and its environs.

Ms Chado said that the event was declared open by the Customs Area Comptroller, Godwin Otunla.

Mr Otunla was quoted in the statement as saying that the free medical check-up was organised to reinforce COWA’s  commitment to the well-being of its members, security agencies and residents of the host communities.

Mr Otunla added that the beneficiaries of the initiative included youths, women, children, and aged people, saying this was in line with the policy thrust of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

“The association is passionate about the health and safety of the people, especially in the communities in which we operate and we uphold the maxim “Customs cares,” he said.

The COWA chairperson, Ogun I Command, Fausat 

Otunla, speaking on behalf of the national president, Customs Wives Association, Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the association was committed to driving sustainability and people empowerment.

Mrs Adeniyi said further that the association was keen on promoting the welfare of not only its members but the members of its host communities.

She emphasised that the initiative aligned with the first lady’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” which focused on empowering widows, supporting children and vulnerable families.

Mrs Adeniyi disclosed that the outreach  offered blood pressure checks, hepatitis screening, free medical consultation, drug distribution, free eye screening, blood sugar screening, and obesity assessment.

She said that medications and eye glasses were given to beneficiaries attended to by the command’s medical team.

The medical officer in charge of the command’s medical centre, Superintendent of Customs, Abdulmalik  Zakariyya, lauded COWA for the laudable initiative.

He stressed that health was not just the absence of disease, but it was a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Mr Zakariyya said: “Unfortunately, many people only think about their health when illness has already set in, rather than taking deliberate steps to stay well and detect diseases early.

“Preventive care is like staying away from danger. It is just like a popular saying “prevention is better than cure”.

“Our bodies need periodic maintenance and that is how to identify any silent killers like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and certain cancers before they cause damage.”

Mr Zakariyya revealed that a 20-man medical team conducted the outreach consisting of two medical doctors, a pharmacist, two pharmaceutical technicians, four nurses, four medical records, three opticians and four laboratory technicians.

 (NAN)