By Muhammad Sani Abdulhamid
Not fewer than 700 residents of Kobi/Ilelah quarters have benefited from free medical outreach services carried out by a community based organisation known as Kobi-Ilelah (Ko’ile) Development Forum in Bauchi metropolis.
The medical outreach service, which held today at Ilelah Quarters of Bauchi metropolis, saw residents in their numbers coming out to access the free healthcare services.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the commencement of the exercise, head of the health subcommittee of Ko’ile Development Forum ,Dr. Kabir Yakub Audi said the objectives of the outreach services was to give healthcare assistance services to the residents of the two communities.
Dr. Audi added that the outreach exercise includes screening and testing of hypertension, malaria, hepatitis, diabetes and other ailments related to the harmattan weather as well as drugs administration.
“We are offering services such as malaria and Hepatitis B&C testing, hypertension, diabetes, and other ailments related to the Harmattan. The number of beneficiaries is much higher than we expected, which is why we are prepared for this. I can assure you that as long as the patients keep coming, we will have enough medical supplies for them, and we have a lot of medicines here to distribute. ” Audi said.
He said adequate provision for drugs and other medical consumables has been made and that referrals will be issued to cases that are beyond the limits of the outreach services.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, Chairman of Ko’ile Development Forum, Malam Mohd Mustapha said that the Forum was brought about with the primary objective of contributing and complementing government efforts in the areas of healthcare, education,lobby of appointment, skills and empowerment programs targeted at the less privileged members of Kobi and Ilelah settlements of Bauchi metropolis.
Some of the beneficiaries Malam Babangida Hadith, Aisha Hassan, and Hassana Sulaiman, all commended the effort of Ko’ile Development Forum also called on other communities to take a cue and emulate the Forum’s humanitarian services.
“We are deeply grateful because this have saved many lives by providing health care as many of us have no means to pay for our medical expenses, so we appreciate them immensely. We hope that other communities will follow their example and support their community. “
