By Ishaya Ibrahim
BalmGilead Life Support, a non-governmental organisation has concluded two-day health awareness with the provision of free medical services to hundreds of residents of Ilutitun in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State.
As at 7am, the venue was thick with about a thousand people coming out for the free treatment that included check-ups for blood pressure, blood sugar level, BMI, treatment of various diseases, surgical operations, medicated eye glasses and counseling sessions.
BalmGilead is the brainchild of Dr Adegboyega Akenroye in honour of his late mother, Madam Victoria Aderemilekun Akenroye who lost her life 50 years ago as a result of complications arising from child birth.
Dr Akenroye said his mother was in labour for three days and three nights because the baby was breached and there were no available medical facilities and personnel on time that could have saved both mother and child.
“She was in labour for three days and three nights because they could not even transport her to where to get medical assistance. Even when she was eventually transported to the general hospital, the only doctor had travelled. She had to wait for another 24 hours to get the emergency treatment she needed. However, despite a surgical intervention, she lost her life due to post-operative complications,” he said.
Akenroye, who heads BalmGilead Hospital in Lagos, regrets that 50 years after, maternal mortality rates still remain high.
“Women should not die because they are pregnant and people should get enough information necessary to stop the unnecessary deaths. That is why we are raising a foundation in remembrance of my mother. It is wrong that many women still die out of ignorance to access the available medical facilities and to utilise them,” he said.
On the various ailments treated, Akenroye explained: “There were cases needing surgical intervention. We had cases of hernia, infertility, fibroids, dental cases among others. Many malaria and bacteria infectious cases were also treated. Some have chronic diseases, like arthritis, diabetics, hypertension, insomnia and geriatric diseases. A lot of people with high blood pressure and other chronic diseases were screened, counseled and treated for the first time. This programme has helped them to know their health status,” he said.
He lamented the high level of health ignorance among the people. “We had to educate them about medical facilities we have brought. Many in the community had problem with going to hospitals to get information about their health and available health provisions.”
Also helping out at the health outreach was a retired Chief Medical Consultant at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital Akure, Dr. Manuwa Idowu Akenroye and Dr Ilesami Ogunsuyi, the director of Medical services at the Federal Prisons in Ondo State.
The Consultant and uncle to the initiator of the project recalled how Dr. Akenroye’s mother died during child birth. He said when he learnt of what he was doing to save lives, he swiftly gave him all the support.
“The programme is about preventing mothers and children from dying. To me if we can dedicate a day every year to remember this woman with this kind of event, it is worth it,” the consultant said.
Monisola Akenroye, wife of the initiator of the project expressed gratitude to God for making the medical outreach a success.
“I feel fulfilled. I know that what we are doing now is exactly what God really wants us to do. This is not the first outreach but this is the first major one because we have had series of outreaches in America where we raised funds for children living with cancer. We have also raised funds for St. Joseph’s home, a motherless babies’ home, and for abandoned mothers homes. We have been doing it in our small ways but this is the first major outing and we are thrilled about the outcome,” she said.
She said they would put up a mother and child health centre. “Not really a full-fledged hospital but somewhere they can get information and awareness on what is going on. Majorly we intend to have an ambulance service so that in case of emergency they can easily use it to move people around to the nearest hospital.”
One of the beneficiaries, 76 year old Grace Daso who is a retired teacher expressed appreciation for the initiative. “I thank the organisers for this kind gesture. I have been battling an eye defect and this is coming at the right time. I am a lay reader in church and that was why I made sure I got here early enough,” she said.
Success Akindoju, a two-year old boy had a congenital bilateral corneal opacity, a condition of the eye that causes total blindness. He was also among the lucky people treated
The remembrance events which was kick-started with a thanksgiving and launch of the Victoria Aderemelekun Akenroye Foundation on November 12 (including the launch of her biography titled The Ultimate Sacrifice at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Grace Sanctuary) in Lagos, followed by the medical outreach on 17th and 18th November, climaxed with a two day gospel crusade at Ilutitun.
