Igbo-Efon PHC hails NAS free medical mission
The management of Igbo-Efon Primary Health Centre (PHC) has commended the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) for its free medical mission held over the weekend at the facility in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The Officer-in-Charge of the PHC, Mrs Aderonmu Racheal Toyin, praised the organisation for its gesture, which she said had helped attract more patients to the health facility and build trust among residents.
Speaking with journalists, she said:
“NAS is the first organisation to visit this facility and offer free medical services to our patients. Its decision to provide these services, especially amid the current economic challenges, is surprising and commendable. The people of Igbo-Efon are very happy.
“The NAS Medical Mission has helped attract more patients to the PHC, and it will also go a long way in building public confidence in our health facility.”
Mrs Aderonmu also used the opportunity to appeal for support in addressing the facility’s electricity challenges, explaining that its solar power system was inadequate to operate some of its equipment, particularly the air conditioners.
The NAS Cap’n, Dr Charles Meribole, said the medical mission was designed to improve the quality of healthcare delivery in local communities.
According to him, the initiative seeks to promote affordable healthcare for all Nigerians, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Meribole, a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, noted that quality healthcare begins at the grassroots level. He added that NAS, through its medical mission, would continue to complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
“We seek to improve the quality of primary healthcare in Nigeria through the NAS Medical Mission. We are here at Igbo-Efon under our deck, Hispaniola. This initiative will strengthen our commitment to our local communities and ensure that our local chapters make positive contributions to their immediate environments.
“We are here with medical experts and drugs to provide adequate healthcare services to the people. I am very happy to be part of this process and team.
“We will continue to sustain the NAS Medical Mission and ensure that people in our communities feel the impact of our activities. The whole idea is to promote affordable healthcare at the primary level because good health begins there. Our mission is to complement government efforts to improve the quality of healthcare in Nigeria,” he said.
The NAS Medical Mission is a health intervention initiative of the National Association of Seadogs aimed at supporting underserved communities. It seeks to address gaps in healthcare delivery and promote equal access to quality medical services.
Dr Emmanuel Okpetu, the NAS Medical Pyrate, acknowledged that although Lekki is one of the most urbanised areas in Lagos, it also has rural and semi-urban communities where residents have limited access to quality healthcare.
He explained that the initiative was not designed to solve every healthcare challenge but to provide support within the organisation’s capacity.
“Lekki is one of the most urbanised areas in Lagos. However, this does not mean it has no rural, semi-urban or less privileged communities where residents lack access to quality healthcare.
“We are not claiming to offer everything or promising to solve every problem. Rather, we are providing the little support we can within our areas of expertise, and we believe it can go a long way in helping residents of these communities,” he said.