DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

Free RCCG Medical Outreach Uncovers Hidden Hypertension among Lagos Residents

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A free medical outreach in Lagos, Nigeria, organized by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), identified numerous residents with previously unknown hypertension.
  • Over 300 people received medical care, including consultations, eye exams, and blood pressure checks, with hypertension being the most common condition detected.
  • The outreach highlighted the need for accessible healthcare and affordable medication, with organizers urging government support and encouraging enrollment in health insurance schemes.

An annual free medical outreach in Lagos, Nigeria, has uncovered a significant number of residents living with undiagnosed hypertension. The initiative, hosted by the Calvary Zonal Headquarters of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), provided essential medical services to over 300 individuals in the Oshodi area.

Hypertension was the most common condition detected, warning that many residents were unaware they had the lifelong ailment until they were screened.

— Dr. Rotimi AdesanyaFamily and Public Health Physician commenting on the findings of the medical outreach.

During the outreach, which offered free consultations, eye examinations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and medications, hypertension emerged as the most prevalent health issue. Family and Public Health Physician Dr. Rotimi Adesanya noted that many attendees were unaware of their lifelong condition until screened. He stressed the importance of continuous access to treatment and advocated for free blood pressure medication, citing worsening economic conditions as a barrier to healthcare access for many Nigerians.

Pastor-in-Charge of the Zone, Jeffrey Aganbi, explained that the outreach aligns with the church's commitment to supporting underserved communities and bridging healthcare gaps. This initiative follows a directive from RCCG's General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, encouraging churches to engage in practical community interventions. Aganbi called upon governments to enhance grassroots healthcare delivery and urged other faith-based organizations to invest in health, education, and community development.

We recognise that there is a gap in meeting the medical needs of our people, and this outreach is our way of helping to bridge that gap.

— Jeffrey AganbiPastor-in-Charge of the Zone explaining the motivation behind the church's outreach program.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the free services, noting that the provided medications and consultations eased the financial burden of rising healthcare costs and discouraged self-medication. Community leaders, like Adeboye Oludayo, Chairman of the Abajodu Community Development Association, commended the church for its sustained efforts, which have helped residents detect illnesses early over the past 12 years. The program has benefited over 10,000 people, establishing it as one of the longest-running community medical interventions by the church.

The free drugs and medical consultations eased the burden of rising healthcare costs and discouraged self-medication.

— Abiola Ekunola and Oluwagbeminiyi OdumeruBeneficiaries sharing their positive experiences with the medical outreach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog