LAGOS FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH “ALAAFIA EKO” RETURNS

The Lagos State Government’s free medical outreach “Alaafia Eko”, will return on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 12 designated centres across the six health districts.

The first phase of this outreach, which aims to provide healthcare services to over 50,000 residents,  took place on May 30, 2024. 

During that phase, thousands of residents received free comprehensive medical check-ups, treatment, medication, and health insurance packages – courtesy of the State Government. It is all part of Eko Cares, the umbrella programme of the state government’s interventions to cushion the effects of economic hardship.  Others include “Ounjè Eko”, the Sunday Market under which prices of basic food items were slashed by 25%, and the 25% fare cut on all government transportation platforms. 

Giving details on the outreach at a news conference held this weekend, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi said the programme will resume in 12 designated centres spread across the six health districts.

“We have finalised preparations to resume the ‘Alaafia Eko’ medical outreach on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 12 centres across our six health districts. This outreach, which should have resumed earlier, was temporarily put on hold due to the cholera outbreak, which has now been successfully contained”, she said.

Dr. Ogunyemi listed the specific designated centres where the medical intervention would take place as follows:-

Health District I: Ikotun-Igando LCDA Secretariat, Ikotun Bus-Stop, and Meiran Motor Park, opposite Meiran PHC, No. 1 Meiran Rd, Meiran Bus Stop, Lagos.

Health District II: Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Mikkson Onas Hall, after Stadium, Bola Hammed Road, Igbogbo, and Ikorodu North LCDA, Farm Settlement Community Primary School, Odogunyan.

Health District III: Ikoyi Obalende LCDA, Old School of Nursing, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, and Eredo LCDA, Eredo Local Council Development Area Secretariat, Eredo.

Health District IV: Apapa LGA, Marian Academy, 144 Gaskiya Road, Badia, Apapa-Iganmu, and Surulere LGA, Surulere LG Secretariat, 24, Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere.

Health District V: Oriade LCDA Secretariat, Alhaji Baruwa Street, Satellite Town, and Layeni PHC Compound, 246, Ojo Road, Ajegunle.

Health District VI: Isolo LCDA, Ansarudeen Primary School, Ile-Ibadan Bus Stop, Mushin Road, Isolo, and Odi-Olowo LCDA, Ajenifuja Primary School No. 2, Ajenifuja Street, Mushin.

“The initiative was conceived by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of his administration’s Eko Cares, a package of measures to alleviate the economic hardship faced by residents. ‘Alaafia Eko’ is specifically designed to address the rising costs of medications and healthcare services”, she said.

Dr. Ogunyemi encouraged residents to take advantage of the initiative by visiting the designated centres near them from 9 am to receive basic medical care. The services offered at the centres include free blood sugar and blood pressure checks, treatment of minor ailments, free medications, HIV counselling and testing, health insurance registration, free eye checks and eyeglasses, health talks and counselling.

Beneficiaries will also be able to register for the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) card at the venues free of charge.