Nurses impact Lagos residents with outreach as they celebrate week

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Nurses under the aegis of West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives have organised a medical outreach to improve the health and well-being of residents of Somolu Community in Lagos State.

The outreach was held on Wednesday in Lagos in commemoration of National Nurses Week.

National Nurses Week is celebrated globally from May 6 to May 12, to recognise nurses for their services and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide.

Mrs Anthonia Ekwojp, Chairman, West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives, Lagos-Ogun Branch, said that the outreach was to demonstrate nurses’ commitment to the well-being of the community.

Ekwojp said that the medical outreach, which catered for over 300 persons, offered free screening for eyes, blood sugar, blood pressure, hepatitis B, HIV and tuberculosis.

She said that individuals that tested negative for hepatitis B were given the vaccine, with appointment dates to complete the remaining two doses of the vaccine.

Similarly, Mrs Olagunju Bamidele, Chairman, Organising Committee of the outreach, said that the event was to remind the community about the importance of regular health check-up.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the outreach would help to change the narrative around healthcare in the community.

Also, Mrs Sola Aketi, Deputy Director, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said that nurses played a critical role in the lives of patients.

Aketi said that nurses would continue to provide patient-centered care that would be safe, timely, effective, efficient and equitable for the benefit of society.

Mr Olayinka Sodipo, Special Adviser on Health to Somolu Local Government Chairman, said that he was impressed with the turnout of the people at the outreach.

He praised the organisers of the outreach for improving the health of the people.

A beneficiary, Alhaja Sidikatu Adesanya, said that she had been longing to visit hospital for eye screening.

“It seems this programme was brought here for me. I am relieved,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that medicines were given to those who needed them after they were attended to by healthcare professionals.

Those who needed further medical attention were referred.

(NAN)