By Vera Wisdom- Bassey
Mrs.Erezi Eterigho, founder of the Okeoghene Samuel Eterigho Sickle Cell Awareness Foundation, made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians, urging them to extend a helping hand to those in need. She emphasized that individuals must step up to support their communities, as the government cannot meet every need on its own. Her message came during a medical outreach held at Moshalashi, Alagbado, Lagos, in collaboration with The Giantsteps Trasjo School.
The outreach, which took place over the weekend, was attended by more than 400 people from the community. The event was held in memory of Okeoghene, son of Eterigho who passed away several years ago at the age of 15 due to complications from sickle cell disease. In his honor, the foundation organizes annual sickle cell awareness campaigns to educate the public and provide free medical services.
During the event, Eterigho stressed the importance of community involvement and urged individuals to help their neighbors in any way they can. “We cannot leave everything to the government,” she said. “Whatever little we have, we should use to support others. If you can help your neighbor, do so. The government cannot do everything.” She also mentioned that after initial medical checks at the outreach, patients were advised to follow up with further consultations and treatments if necessary.
Dr. Stephen Okogu, a medical professional who participated in the outreach, echoed Mrs. Eterigho sentiments, emphasizing the need for regular health check-ups. He urged the community members to make their health a priority, recommending visits to general hospitals, which offer more affordable healthcare services than private hospitals. “Regular medical check-ups are not expensive,” Dr. Okogu advised, adding that many Nigerians neglect their health and do not seek medical attention until it’s too late.
Dr. Okogu praised Mrs. Eterigho for organizing the outreach and for her dedication to health education, especially given the current economic challenges. He emphasized that initiatives like this are crucial for raising awareness about sickle cell disease and encouraging people to take their health seriously.
The outreach served as a reminder of the power of collective action in improving the health and well-being of communities, especially in challenging times.