Yuletide: Igbobi College Old Boys conduct free medical outreach

As part of activities for its end of the year and Christmas celebrations, Igbobi College Old Boys Association 1996 Set (ICOBA96SET) has organised a medical outreach at both Igbobi College and its host community.

The event commemorated achievements and milestones of the set and exemplified the association’s commitment to social responsibility. Chairman of ICOBA96SET, Bankole Agunbiade, who was represented by the first Vice Chairman, Oladele Ogunyale, said the outreach was a manifestation of the group’s dedication to giving back to the community that played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of its members during their formative years at Igbobi College.

According to him, the essence of the medical outreach was multi-faceted.

“Firstly, it aimed to address the healthcare needs of the Igbobi College community, including both students and staff, by providing essential medical services, check-ups, and health education.

“Secondly, extending the outreach to the host community underscored ICOBA96SET’s recognition of its responsibility to contribute positively to the well-being of the broader society. By focusing on disease prevention, early detection, and health education, the association sought to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

In a short presentation, titled ‘Bridging Healthcare Gaps: The Vital Role of Medical Outreach in School Communities’, the chairman of the planning committee, Olufemi Jackson-Cole, noted that medical outreaches play a pivotal role in addressing healthcare disparities and fostering community well-being.

He said: “In the pursuit of a healthier society, extending these initiatives to school staff and local communities become not just an altruistic endeavour but a strategic necessity. Medical outreach is more than just a benevolent act; it is a manifestation of societal responsibility.

“By bringing healthcare services directly to the people, these programmes break down barriers to healthcare access, ensuring that individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, can avail themselves of essential medical care. Moreso, they serve as a preventive measure, promoting health awareness and early intervention.”

Explaining the benefits of extending such an initiative to the school staff and the host communities, Jackson-Cole said: “Educational institutions are not just centres of learning; they are vibrant communities where the health and well-being of staff members directly impact the overall learning environment. Jackson-Cole further averred that beyond the school gates, local communities stand to gain significantly from well-organised medical outreaches.