By Bukola Imam
Association of Residents Doctors University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD UITH), has advocated for improved welfare and working conditions for the members and promote excellence in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Yusuf Muhammed Jamiu, the President of the Association states this while delivering his speech at the press conference to brief public on the 2024 ARD UITH 41st annual general meeting/Sir Adebola Aderibigbe Scientific Conference held in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He noted that the theme of the AGM/conference which is “Reshaping Residency Training in Nigeria, Digital Technology, Financial Inclusion and their Impact on Residency Training” and sub theme “The Effect of Climate Change on Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases: Bridging Reality and Research for Holistic Health care” was carefully selected to address issues affecting them.
The ARD President expressed hope that the conference will provide how technology and better welfare and renumeration for health workers can turn around the challenges facing health sector and possibly reverse the twin evil of manpower crisis and Japa syndrome.
He identified devaluation of naira that have impacted negatively on the cost of living for everyone including medical doctors as the biggest challenge.
Members of the association later took free medical and eye surgery outreach to Model Primary Health Care Center, old Jeba road, Oke -Ose Ilorin, where the President of the association expressed satisfaction with the turn out of the commuters including elderly, middle age and children.
According to him, the free health care service aimed at giving the little have – back to the society and they targeted about 150 to 200 beneficiaries and have attended to many medical cases.
He said eye surgery would be done at eye mega center for those that are qualified after the screening.
Jamiu had while appreciating the members of the association who according to him have worked tirelessly to provide quality healthcare services to their patients despite the challenges they are facing, lauded their partners and sponsors such as Ladim, Prime Health, Feolu, Geraral Drugs Stores, Yusuf Ali Foundation, KAMWIRE among others.
In her submission, Dr. Shiru Mariam Motunrayo, Vice President of ARD UITH, explained that the free medical and. surgical outreach to the people of Ose-Ose is part of the association’s annual general meeting activities.
She revealed that they have provision for free cataract surgery for the first 20 people that are screened and diagnosed, adding that free medication for the outreach include; antihypertensive, pain killer, antimalarial, eye drugs and the rest.
Earlier, Dr. Abubakar Adeyemi, the immediate past President of the association who gave the health talk before the commencement of the testing and medical treatment, counseled the residents of the community on how to prevent and control communicable diseases, diabetics, hypertension, and other ailments.
He however, advised them to improve on their diet, reduce intake of salt, sugar and maggi, engage in moderate exercise, take fruits and vegetables and go to the nearest hospital to check their health status at least once in a month.
Alhaji Ibrahim Ajadi Jinadu, Baale Oke-Ose, an elderly man lauded the health care givers for the support.
He said the medical outreach is timely because many commuters in their town with various ailments could not go to hospital because of paucity of fund.
The Baale thank the medical doctors, and other authorities that make the project a success, even as he urged them to continue with this kind gesture so that our people will know their health status and get free health care delivery.
Another beneficiary, Ramata Ibrahim who was told that her blood pressure is high and was given drugs commended the organizers of the medical outreach.
