The Pistis Foundation has emphasized the importance of improving access to quality medical services for underserved communities in Nigeria. The foundation's Executive Director, Leonard Thomas, made this statement at the official opening of the UBOMI free medical and surgical outreach in Ibadan, Oyo State. The outreach aims to provide free medical services to economically disadvantaged people. Thomas noted that the high cost of healthcare remains a significant challenge for many Nigerians.
The UBOMI free medical and surgical outreach is a five-day programme that offers various medical services, including free consultations, diagnostic investigations, pharmaceutical support, dental and eye care, general and specialist surgeries, and health education. The programme, now in its 10th year, has been expanded beyond Lagos to reach more underserved communities across the country. According to Thomas, the foundation was encouraged by the turnout in Ibadan and expected to provide services to more than 5,000 people before the Lagos edition scheduled for next month.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, commended The Elevation Church for bringing the outreach to Ibadan and reaffirmed the state government's support for initiatives that improve access to healthcare. She urged individuals and organisations to support efforts to address the healthcare needs of residents. The programme is being implemented in partnership with The Elevation Church in Ibadan and Lagos, Pro-Health International as technical partner, and Zenithcare Hospital, Oyo State, as the medical institutional partner.
The Founder and Executive Director of Pro-Health International, Dr Iko Ibanga, stated that the programme would provide surgical interventions for various medical conditions, including hernia, eye and fibroid cases, as well as dental procedures. He noted that UBOMI had made a significant impact on individuals and communities over the years, recording a 99 per cent surgical success rate over the past six years.
The Resident Pastor of The Elevation Church, Ibadan, Oluwaseun Afolayan, said the initiative was inspired by the Christian teaching of loving one's neighbour but was open to people of all faiths. He described UBOMI as a non-political initiative and expressed hope that it would become a sustained programme for residents of Oyo State. Afolayan noted that residents from different religious backgrounds had benefited from the programme since its inception.
According to the foundation, UBOMI has delivered 48,706 verified medical interventions since 2019, with a 99 per cent surgical success rate. The programme's impact on the community is evident in the number of people it has served over the years. The foundation's effort to provide quality healthcare to underserved communities has been acknowledged by various stakeholders, including the Oyo State government.
The Pistis Foundation's initiative has received support from partners within and outside Nigeria, enabling the foundation to sustain the programme and extend its reach. The foundation's commitment to providing quality healthcare to underserved communities is evident in its continued efforts to expand the programme to more communities across the country. The success of UBOMI is a testament to the impact that collaborative efforts can have on improving access to healthcare.
Key points
- The UBOMI free medical and surgical outreach has delivered 48,706 verified medical interventions since 2019.
- The programme has a 99 per cent surgical success rate over the past six years.
- The foundation aims to provide services to more than 5,000 people in Ibadan before the Lagos edition scheduled for next month.
