482 residents benefit from NYSC group, Genesis Lab’s health initiative in Ogbomoso

482 residents benefit from NYSC group, Genesis Lab’s health initiative in Ogbomoso

Yinka ADETUNJI

482 residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo state, have benefited a free health programme initiated by a collaboration between the Charity CDS of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogbomoso North Local Government and the Genesis Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Agbonin, Ogbomoso.

The health initiative held recently involved offering free genotype, blood group, and hepatitis B tests, whose goal, according to the president of the Charity CDS, “Corper” Oluwafemi Ajayi a.k.a. Fm Castro, “is to promote health awareness and early detection of diseases.”

Ajayi informed the programme which he described as a community service development outreach, was held early this month in commemoration of the World sickle cell awareness month.

Giving further details, a report made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com, states, “In commemoration of World Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Charity CDS Group Ogbomoso North embarked on an ambitious community development project, offering free genotype, blood group, and hepatitis B testing to 1000 individuals in Ogbomoso North Local Government.

“This initiative aimed to promote health awareness, education, and early detection of potential health risks among community members. Over three days, 482 participants underwent testing, and a subsequent health summit featured expert discussions on hepatitis B, genotype, and blood group.”

The group added that it launched the initiative to mitigate the burden of diseases especially genetic and infectious diseases among Nigerians in view of the limited healthcare access, noting it aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals Goal 3 towards promoting healthy lives.

“The burden of genetic and infectious diseases weighs heavily on Nigerian communities, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. In response, Charity CDS Group Ogbomoso North launched this initiative to address the pressing need for health awareness and education in Ogbomoso North Local Government. This project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 3, ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all.”

The testings were held at two locations, Soun Stadium and Ogunlola Hall, while a health summit, anchored by Mr. Oladipo Tunde Sunday, a medical microbiologist and parasitologist at Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH); Olugbodi David Babatunde, medical laboratory scientist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital; and Dr. Ajagbe Paul Ajagbe, supervisor for health, Ogbomoso North local government, also featured.

Though beneficiaries fell below the targeted 1, 000 residents, as only 482 participated, the project yielded impressive results as a number of persons were diagnosed of hepatitis B (who are now being cared for), this is as certificates were issued to participating corps members and other partners like religious bodies and the resource persons.

The group in its assessment avers, “This initiative has contributed substantially to the health and wellbeing of Ogbomoso North local government people through improved health awareness especially in the area of enhanced understanding of genetic and infectious diseases among community members, facilitation of early detection and prevention of diseases, reducing the risk of complications and fostering collaboration between healthcare providers, community leaders, and residents,” concluding, “The initiative has demonstrated remarkable success. This project serves as a model for community-based health interventions, highlighting the importance of collaboration, education, and early detection.”

However, it urged a continuation of testing and health education programmes, incorporation of additional health screenings and services and fostering of stronger partnerships with healthcare providers and community leaders.

Enthused by the success of the programme, the group expressed appreciation to individuals and organizations including Genesis Medical Diagnostics Laboratory “for providing testing services,” Medical CDS for collaboration and mobilization, religious leaders for information circulation and community engagement, resource persons, the Local Government Inspector (LGI) Ogbomoso North local government and the chairman of Ogbomoso North local government.

“Corper” Ajayi, Fm Castro, a graduate of sociology and anthropology from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state, and president of Charity CDS in a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com, disclosed, “I conceived this programme upon discovering that Nigeria has 2- 3% sickle cell carrier rate and hepatitis B has 10 to 15% carrier rate. We aimed at helping 1000 people in Ogbomoso make informed marriage decisions, prevent unnecessary suffering and death from sickle cell crises, and enhance genetic counseling.

“The motivation for the free blood group testing was to help people make informed decisions for pregnancy and childbirth, knowledge of blood group for emergency situations that has caused unnecessary death of millions, and ensures safe blood transfusions. And hepatitis B, we aimed at preventing liver damage and cancer, enabling early treatment and vaccination, and reducing mother-to-child transmission. At the end of the event, 482 people benefited, and we are confident that Ogbomoso will experience better quality of life for individuals and families and foster socio-economic development.”

Many beneficiaries lauded the initiative saying, “it made a significant impact in our lives. More power to the elbow of the organizers.”