Emmanuel Oludare & Olarenwaju Adegunwa
Some members of the National Youth Service Corps in Oyo State, in collaboration with the Samuel Akinlade Elderly Care Initiative, on Saturday organised a free healthcare outreach for elderly residents in Ibadan.
The outreach, held at Calvary Baptist Church, Ashi, Bodija, was part of a Community Development Service project aimed at improving access to basic healthcare for aged persons in the community.
The convener, Samuel Akinlade, said the initiative was designed to give back to elderly citizens who had contributed to society, noting that many of them lack access to regular medical care.
He explained that services rendered during the outreach included blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, health education, counselling, and general medical advice.
Akinlade also urged the elderly to adopt healthier lifestyles by avoiding processed foods, excessive alcohol intake, artificial condiments, and self-medication.
He said, “Elderly people should abstain from processed foods, red meat, alcohol, and self-medication. They should prioritise balanced diets, maintain personal hygiene, and stay hydrated.”
He described the outreach as a fulfilling experience, adding that it provided an opportunity to develop skills in planning, teamwork, and communication.
The Assistant Local Government Inspector for Ibadan North 1 Local Government Area, Mrs Folasade Adedeji, who represented the NYSC, commended the corps members for the initiative.
She said the outreach was a laudable effort that had positively impacted the wellbeing of elderly residents in the area.
A beneficiary, Kayode Oni, expressed appreciation to the organisers, calling for wider publicity of the initiative to attract government support.
“It is important to help people. This kind of programme can save lives by preventing illnesses,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Folarin Modupe, described the outreach as timely and impactful, noting that it enabled her to assess her health status despite limited financial resources.
She said, “This initiative helped me because I had been planning to go for a medical check-up. It has allowed me to understand my health condition better.”
No fewer than 60 elderly persons benefited from the outreach.
Other corps members who participated in the programme included Adejobi Amos, Moshood Tobiloba, Arowoyele Peace, Adefioye Victoria, Fasina Tobiloba, Ajetunmobi Jesulayomi, Ademoyegun Fortunate, Olanipon Oluwadunsin, and Kosoedo Rhoda.
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