The Ogun State Muslim Council has launched a quarterly medical outreach programme aimed at promoting healthy living and preventive healthcare among Muslims in the state, with more than 500 people benefiting from free healthcare services during its maiden edition in Ijebu-Ode.
The outreach, held at Oke-Oyinbo Primary Health Centre in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, September 20, was organised by the council’s Ijebu Zone and is expected to rotate among the four zones of the council, with Remo, Egba and Yewa zones taking their turns in subsequent editions.
Representing the President-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council and Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, at the flag-off, the Vice-President-General for Ijebu Zone, Otunba (Engineer) Fatai Arowolo, described good health as an essential aspect of human life.
Arowolo said Islam regarded good health not merely as a necessity but also as a blessing and a trust from Allah, stressing that poor health could undermine an individual’s ability to participate fully in daily activities and acts of worship.
“It is the most essential pillar of human existence and its failure automatically undermines our ability to fully engage in our daily endeavours and our acts of worship (Ibadah),” he said.
He explained that the initiative was designed to foster a physically vibrant, strong and healthy Muslim community across Ogun State.
The President-General expressed appreciation to philanthropists, medical professionals, partners and volunteers who contributed their resources, time and expertise towards the success of the programme.
He also urged Muslims across the state to take advantage of the outreach to monitor their health status and embrace preventive healthcare practices.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Asiwaju Kamaldeen Akintunde, said the programme was aimed at building a vibrant and healthy Muslim community capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
“We must have this kind of programme for early detection of diseases. We must pray and fulfil our obligations to Allah, but we must also be healthy to worship Allah,” Akintunde said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and General Purpose Committee of the State Muslim Council, Alhaji Waheed Qadri, said the medical outreach demonstrated the council’s commitment to the welfare and development of the Muslim Ummah and the wider society.
Qadri said the programme was designed to provide free basic healthcare services, promote preventive healthcare and encourage early detection of health conditions among members of the communities.
According to him, the outreach included medical consultations, health screening, eye and dental services, laboratory investigations, medication and health education.
“We hope to make a modest but meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of our people,” he said.
Qadri commended the Ijebu Zone for hosting the maiden edition and said the rotational arrangement was intended to ensure that the benefits of the initiative reached communities across the state rather than being concentrated in one location.
He also appreciated members of the planning committee, the host chairman, Alhaji (Omoba) Akib Adebola Yisa-Adebanjo, medical professionals, volunteers, donors and other individuals and organisations that supported the programme.
He appealed to stakeholders to regard the initiative as a collective responsibility, noting that its sustainability would depend on continued collaboration, resource mobilisation, accountability and improvement from one edition to another.
The State Chairman of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Dr. Ibraheem Ope-ewe, pledged the association’s continued participation in the programme.
Ope-ewe urged members of the public to undergo regular medical check-ups to know their health status, facilitate early detection of diseases and adopt appropriate preventive measures.
One of the key donors to the initiative, the Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland, Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, also stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups.
Oyefeso called on Muslims to embrace preventive healthcare and urged Islamic scholars to incorporate health education into their sermons as part of efforts to promote healthier lifestyles in Muslim communities.
For some beneficiaries, the outreach provided an opportunity to receive medical attention for conditions requiring specialised care.
A beneficiary, Azeezat Ayilara, who received dental attention at the centre, commended the medical personnel for their prompt response to her complaint and thanked the organisers for the initiative.
Another beneficiary, Hussein Abdul-Roheem, received eyeglasses and eye drops, while Muniru Idowu received eye-related treatment for continued care of one of his eyes.
Both beneficiaries commended the optometrists for their response and praised the Ogun State Muslim Council for bringing the medical services closer to the community.
The programme ended with the presentation of certificates to members of the planning committee and medical personnel in recognition of their contributions to the success of the maiden outreach, with Hajia Kudirat Yeni and Dr. Oloko among those recognised.
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