Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is today flagging off a free healthcare programme to combat organ impairment and life-threatening ailments among children.
The initiative, which falls within the pillar in the new administration’s vision to improve access to quality healthcare in the state, is targeted to reach at least 100,000 children.
The programme is to be held in seven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state for six days, during which beneficiaries will be screened and treated for observed illnesses.
It will involve screening children for visual and hearing impairments, and other ailments that can negatively impede their capacity to study.
Those found to have visual or hearing impairments will be provided with glasses and hearing aids to help them overcome the condition.
The free medical mission is being held in collaboration with Healthcare Mission International, a Republic of Ireland-based non-governmental organisation (NGO).
According to Titilayo Goncalves, permanent secretary in the state ministry of health, who briefed State House journalists on Thursday, the programme signals phased implementation of Sanwo-Olu’s healthcare initiative.
She said the medical outreach was targeted at children between ages zero to 12, stressing that the choice of the demographic was strategic, because of the need to protect the children from sickness that may impede their potential.
Corroborating, Nike Osa, the executive director of the NGO, emphasised the importance of promoting children’s health, which, according to her, informed the partnership with the government.
This, Osa explained, would enable the state meet the item three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to realise universal health coverage for children and reduce poverty.
JOSHUA BASSEY
