IFAKO IJAIYE GH ORGANISES MAIDEN EDITION OF SCHOOL READY HEALTH OUTREACH
The Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital recently hosted students from various communities across Ifako Ijaiye Local Government and Ojokoro LCDA for its maiden edition of the School Ready free health outreach. The outreach, themed "Healthy Children; Bright Future", is in collaboration with Ifako Ijaiye Local Government and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.
In her welcome address, the Medical Director/CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Oluyemi Taiwo, said the School Ready Health Outreach programme is dedicated to enhancing health awareness and elevating healthcare services for children, with a commitment to securing a brighter future for children from various communities.
According to the MD/CEO, "As children prepare for another academic session, we believe being school ready goes beyond new uniforms, books, and school supplies; our children need to be physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally healthy, with important health concerns identified early".
"Over the next two days, the hospital targets 700 school children aged 5 to 15 and will have the chance to access a variety of health services. These services include pediatric assessments, dental and eye screenings, nutrition and dietetics assessments and counselling, social welfare support, health education, and other appropriate clinical services," Taiwo said.
The Medical Director identified a key aspect of the school-ready health outreach programme as early detection, as some health issues may not be apparent to parents or even to the children themselves. Through these screenings, the hospital can identify potential concerns early on and provide the necessary advice, interventions, or referrals.
The hospital, she said, has added more services to better serve the community, with the general hospital theatre expanded to reduce patients' appointment times for surgery, and bed capacity in the Medical Surgeries Ward has increased.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Olukayode Oguntimehin said the theme of the outreach is both timely and significant, as it reminds participants of a fundamental truth: the health of our children today has a direct bearing on the quality of the society we will have tomorrow.
According to the Chairman, "Healthcare should not begin only when a person becomes seriously ill. One of the most effective ways of protecting our children is through prevention, early detection and timely intervention. Many health challenges can be identified before they become serious problems. A child who cannot see properly may struggle academically without anyone immediately recognising that poor vision is responsible".
"A child with an untreated dental problem may experience pain, difficulty eating or difficulty concentrating in class. Nutritional deficiencies may affect growth and development. Other health conditions may remain unnoticed because children are often unable to properly explain what they are experiencing. This is why programmes such as this are extremely important", Oguntimehin said.
The Chairman is particularly pleased that the outreach brings together different areas of healthcare, including paediatrics, dental care, eye care, nutrition and social welfare. This multidisciplinary approach, he said, recognises that the health of a child is not limited to the absence of disease. It encompasses physical, emotional, nutritional and social well-being.
He enjoined parents and guardians to take advantage of this opportunity. Parents should not wait until their child complains of a serious problem before seeking medical attention; routine assessment is an important part of keeping children healthy.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olajide Dapo Thomas, represented by Dr. Masida Erinosho, noted the importance of preventive healthcare, saying that parents only bring their children to the hospital when they are ill. She added that screening would help identify health concerns early and ensure that children return to school healthier.
In his own remarks, Member of the House of Representatives representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo, represented by Prince Lekan Arogundade, expressed his willingness to support the hospital whenever called upon, particularly in terms of sponsorship and medical attention for children in the community.
He further described the programme as a good initiative and hopes it would be organised annually. He also noted that children who benefit from the maiden edition could share their experience with others and their parents could be more aware of the importance. He concluded by saying that this programme would encourage more trust and support for the initiative.
The Executive Chairman, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Hon. Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, represented by the Vice Chairman, Princess Olutoyin Awoniyi- Akerele, appreciated the MD/CEO, Mrs. Oluyemi Taiwo, and noted that investing in children's health is an investment in the future of the community, as healthy children are better positioned to learn, dream and become leaders of tomorrow.
Hamzat described the outreach as more than just a health programme, saying it represents a commitment to providing children with the care, awareness and support they need to thrive. She also appreciated the health workers, teachers, parents, organisers and everyone who contributed to the success of the programme.
On the other hand, the Executive Chairman, Ojokoro LCDA Hon. Oluyemisi Rosiji, said the outreach programme would help educate the children about healthcare. He said that the programme would make it easier for them to recognise when something is wrong and inform their teachers or parents. He encouraged the organisers to sustain the programme and continue with similar initiatives from time to time to promote health awareness among children.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner II, at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Omolaja Odunuga, encouraged the hospital to extend the programme to adults by introducing screenings such as mammograms and PSA tests. He noted that such screenings could contribute to the prevention and early detection of cancers, which has become so rampant in society.
Dr. (Mrs.) Moyosore Adejumo, Commissioner IV, in the Lagos State Health Service Commission, urged healthcare workers to make every child feel important whenever they visit the hospital, even for routine check-ups. She appreciated the sponsors and partners supporting the programme, noting the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening healthcare
She also encouraged children to inform an adult whenever they feel unwell, as parents and guardians should prioritise the health of their children.
There were other goodwill messages from other members of the commission, partners and donors, with various recognition awards to dignitaries in attendance.
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