The Sole Administrator and residents of the Alimosho Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have commended PathCare Laboratories on the 2016 Doctors On Air Medical Mission, a healthcare initiative of PathCare Laboratories in collaboration with partners, which held 6 August, 2016 at the Alimosho Local Council Development Area complex, Akowonjo in Lagos State. The free qualitative consultation, diagnosis and treatment program had over 60 doctors attending to over 2,000 residents.
L-R: Mr. Bakare Sarafa of Agric and Community Development department of Alimosho LCDA; Managing Director of Pathcare Laboratories, Dr. Pamela Ajayi; and the Sole Administrator of Alimosho LCDA, Honourable Ganiu Quadri during the 2016 Doctors On Air Medical Mission which took place over the weekend.
Speaking during the one day exercise, the Sole Administrator of Alimosho LCDA, Honourable Ganiu Quadri, reiterated that “Health is wealth”. “We cannot fully estimate the economic value of what PathCare and their partners have done for the people of Alimosho LCDA. It goes beyond today and has greater ramifications for governance than one can imagine. No society can progress when the people are sick. So health becomes the number one priority for any government to ensure that every other aspect of life works fine in the society. My people and I are really appreciative of PathCare and their partners and I have already told PathCare that our doors are always wide open to them.” He added.
The Managing Director of Pathcare Laboratories, Dr Pamela Ajayi, during her keynote address spent time explaining to the residents of the LCDA why they should take personal responsibility for their health. “We know that the economy is down and most of us are struggling. So the big question is:how do we keep ourselves and our families healthy, so that at least, the costs that come with illnesscan be avoided?”
Dr Ajayi further explained that knowing one’s health status and early detection help to prevent diseases like stroke, cancer and even sudden death. She also added that raising health consciousness among the residents is one on the purposes of the initiative urging them to take full advantage of the privilegethe program offers.
A senior citizen who simply gave her name as Alhaja Habibat could not hide her excitement as she went from one medical unit to another with enthusiasm. When asked, she simply said in Yoruba “this program is an answer to my prayers”. She claimed that she had rallied her entire household including all her grandchildren to take advantage of the rare privilege and she is happy and grateful that the organizers have not disappointed her in any way. The reaction of a petty trader, Nkechi Onuigbo, was not far from Alhaja’s. “I closed my shop today so that me and my children can be here. It is not everyday that this kind of opportunity comes. I want to thank PathCare and all the doctors. God will continue to bless them,” Nkechi said.
The annual Doctors On-Air Medical Mission is a one-day health camp jointly organized by Doctors On-Air, PathCare Laboratories and Megaletrics Limited. It is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, aimed at providing the less privileged with comprehensive medical care. It was founded in 2011 and has held at Obalende (2011 – 2012) and Yaba LCDA (2013 – 2015). It is an off shoot of the Doctors On Air weekly, an informative health program held every Wednesday on Classic FM in English between 9:00-9:30AM and on Naija FM in Pidgin English between 09:30-10:00AM.
This year, PathCare partnered with over 25 corporate bodies, comprising of hospitals, specialized clinics, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, humanitarian organisations and financial institutions. Different medical experts in pathology, dermatology, hepatology, ophthalmology, optometry, oncology, paediatrics, dentistry etc. were on ground and offered free consultation, diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions from common cold to cancer. Elaborate health talks that touched on different diseases were offered to residents all day in both English and Yoruba languages by experts. Free drugs, worth millions of naira were also distributed as needed.
Partners who contributed and participated in the 2016 Doctors On Air Medical Mission include the Bridge Clinic, Classic FM, Naija FM, The Beat FM, Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, CMDA, The Eye Doctors, Leadway Assurance, Medical Women’s Association Of Nigeria, Metro Eyes, SMILE 360 Dental Specialist, Renaissance Medical Centre, SKKY Dental Service, Nigeria Association Of Dermatologists, Ultimate Eye Clinic, Chike Okoli Foundation, DARA Foundation, Rotary Club of Maryland, Medplus, Healthplus, OMRON, Lakeshore Cancer Centre, Paelon Memorial Clinic, Sight City, First Cardiology Consultant, Eden Lifestyle, Emzor, Reels, Bernados Pharmacy, Fidson, Empowerment for the less Privileged – ELP Foundation, REALM and Men’s Clinic Lagos.