No fewer than 1,580 members of the Ejule Community in Ofu Local Council of Kogi State were examined and treated for diabetes, high blood pressure and eye defects at a medical outreach organised by Ejule Forum.

The majority of the beneficiaries of the free medical programme include senior citizens considered vulnerable in the community.

The 24-man medical team, led by Abuh Ademu, was equipped with necessary drugs and other health equipment.

The medical outreach was preceded by a road walk to sensitise the youths to the dangers of drug abuse and consumption of narcotics and other psycho-active substances.

In his welcome address, National President of Ejule Forum, Dr Farouk Achimugu, said: “Today, we gather not just to provide medical services to the vulnerable in our community, but to reinforce our collective responsibility for the health and well-being of our people.

“In this medical outreach, we have assembled relevant drugs and medical experts to render the service free of charge. The health challenges we are focusing on in the exercise are hypertension, diabetes, eye screenings, and deworming, among others.”

“In organising this outreach, our expectation is that we will be able to provide health solutions to the people, promote their health conditions, show love to the needy, protect the lives of the vulnerable and promote the health status of the Ejule community in general.

“It is our strong believe that any investment in the health of the people is worth it, hence we intend to make this outreach a yearly event to be able to sustain a healthy lifestyle in the community and its environs.

Achimugu, who used medical outreach to stage a public enlightenment campaign against drug abuse among youths, stressed the need to empower the youths with relevant knowledge and information that will discourage them from consuming illicit drugs.

He expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Joel Oyibo, who was represented by former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Ainoko, for his support and encouragement.

He also expressed gratitude to a member of the House of Representatives, David Zacharia, for his partnership in the outreach.

He, however, commended all members of Ejule Forum at home and in Diaspora for making funds available for the outreach.