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By Charles Segun Adegbite
For many residents of Oruku and Ipetoro communities in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, last Saturday was more than an ordinary weekend. It was a day of relief, hope and, for some, a life-saving intervention.
Hundreds of residents, mostly women, children and elderly people, trooped out under makeshift canopies along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road axis near Ita Sanni, Ogijo, to benefit from a free medical outreach sponsored by Monarch Steel Mill Ltd and its sister company, Vision Gas & Power.
The two Indian-owned companies, located within the communities, organised the outreach as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access for residents who have long struggled without a functional health centre or hospital in the area.
For many beneficiaries, the outreach became the first opportunity in years to check their blood pressure, blood sugar level and general health status.
Medical personnel from Ogijo Health Centre conducted free tests for hypertension, diabetes, malaria, hepatitis and eye defects. Free drugs were also distributed, while reading glasses were provided for residents with sight challenges.
What made the exercise more emotional was the discovery by several residents that they had been living with dangerous health conditions without knowing it.
Some of them confessed that they had always experienced symptoms such as persistent headaches, weakness, dizziness and fatigue, but merely relied on painkillers and malaria drugs because they could not afford proper medical care.
The outreach, therefore, exposed what health experts often describe as “silent killers” ; hypertension and diabetes, diseases capable of causing sudden death, stroke, kidney failure and other serious complications if left untreated.
Dr Phillips Abraham of Golden Vision Optical Centre, who led the eye care team, advised beneficiaries to take their medications as prescribed and pay closer attention to their health.
Also speaking during the programme, Mrs Kuti Aina, a Community Health Extension Worker from Ogijo Health Centre, educated nursing mothers on the importance of immunisation for infants.
She also sensitised women on family planning methods available for both men and women, encouraging them to seek medical guidance whenever necessary.
The large turnout at the outreach reflected the healthcare challenges confronting the two rapidly growing communities.
Residents lamented that there is no health centre or hospital within the communities, forcing sick persons to travel to Ogijo or Ikorodu before accessing treatment — an option many can hardly afford due to the harsh economic realities.
The Baale of Oruku Community, Baale Kamorudeen Olabinjo, described the medical outreach as a “rescue mission” capable of preventing untimely deaths among residents.
According to him, the annual exercise has continued to save lives by helping people discover hidden ailments before they become fatal.
“This is a very good programme aimed at improving the health of our people,” the traditional ruler said.
“They check our blood pressure, test for diabetes and provide free drugs and medical advice. Some people never knew they had these illnesses until now.
“I sincerely appreciate the companies for sustaining this initiative over the years because many lives are being saved through it.”
While commending the companies, the monarch appealed for further support in the area of electricity and other social amenities.
He also urged the Ogun State Government and Sagamu Local Government to come to the aid of the communities by providing healthcare facilities and infrastructure.
Another community leader, Mr. Lukman Adekunle, popularly known as “Awaye Wa Serere,” praised Monarch Steel Mill Ltd and Vision Gas & Power for what he described as consistent interventions in the area.
He cited the ongoing drainage construction project aimed at tackling flooding, as well as electrification support through the provision of concrete poles and cables.
He, however, appealed to residents not to ignore future medical outreaches.
“People should always come out and benefit from these free services instead of staying at home and complaining,” he said.
The Chairman of God Leads Area Development Council, Comrade David Okediya, noted that although residents still complain about pollution from industrial activities, the companies have remained committed to their social responsibilities.
He said the 42 Community Development Associations (CDAs) within the two communities appreciated the annual medical intervention and other support projects.
Okediya, however, stressed the urgent need for government intervention.
“If government can build a health centre for us, these medical services will no longer be done under canopies,” he said.
“We already have land available for such a project. What we need is support from the government.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ifeloju Community Development Association, Mr. Michael Bilesanmi, commended the companies for maintaining cordial relationships with residents and supporting developmental projects in the area.
He particularly praised Pastor Noel Rufus for serving as a bridge between the communities and the companies.
Pastor Rufus, who acts as spokesman for the two communities, expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout for the outreach.
According to him, worsening economic hardship has made healthcare unaffordable for many families, thereby increasing dependence on interventions such as the free medical outreach.
“A lot of people cannot afford hospital treatment anymore,” he said.
“That is why many came out in large numbers when they heard about the programme.”
He also linked some of the health challenges facing residents to environmental pollution around the industrial communities.
Speaking on behalf of Monarch Steel Mill Ltd, the company’s Head of Human Resources and Administrative Manager, Mr. Sunday Aladeniyi, said the outreach formed part of agreements reached with the host communities under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019.
According to him, the companies have consistently carried out CSR projects, including road grading, electrification support, flood control drainage construction and distribution of food items during festive periods.
He disclosed that the company had already begun plans toward building a health centre for the communities.
Mr Aladeniyi also noted that the relationship between the companies and residents had remained mutually beneficial over the years.
He explained that the industries existed in the area long before many residents moved into the communities, adding that the presence of the companies contributed significantly to the growth and economic development of the environment.
As the outreach ended and residents gradually returned to their homes clutching medications, test results and reading glasses, one reality remained obvious — in communities where healthcare facilities are absent and poverty limits access to treatment, such interventions are no longer mere charity, but lifelines helping residents battle silent killers before it is too late
