The general manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, has urged political office holders to strengthen grassroots democracy by initiating programmes that directly improve the welfare of their constituents.

Bello made the call while delivering the keynote address at a one-day medical outreach that provided free eye care services to more than 2,000 residents of Ijebu East, Ijebu North and Ogun Waterside local government areas of Ogun state.

The outreach, tagged Jigi Bello and themed “Restoring Sight, Renewing Hope and Transforming Lives Through Accessible Eye Care”, was held in Ijebu-Imusin.

Bello said the initiative was aimed at delivering the benefits of democracy to communities through healthcare interventions that address people’s immediate needs.

He said the programme offered free eye examinations and eyeglasses to help restore sight, improve quality of life and promote human dignity among residents of the three local government areas.

“Access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for a few, but an opportunity available to all,” Bello said.

He added that the outreach would bring essential eye care closer to residents, enabling the early detection of eye conditions, professional medical advice, treatment and referrals where necessary.

Bello also pledged to cover the cost of medical referrals for beneficiaries who required further treatment, assuring them that they would receive the necessary support.

He urged other political office holders to complement government efforts by introducing initiatives with a direct and measurable impact on the welfare of people at the grassroots.