By Our Reporter
No fewer than 430 residents of Zide and Madagbayo communities in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State have benefited from the fifth edition of the Aaron Ponuwei Ebelo Foundation’s free medical outreach.
The two-day outreach, held from April 4 to April 5, 2026, as part of the Easter celebrations, brought essential healthcare services to underserved rural communities.
Over 35 medical personnel participated in the exercise, conducting a wide range of tests including blood sugar level checks, HIV screening, Hepatitis B and C tests, blood pressure monitoring, weight assessments, eye examinations, optical dispensing, and general medical consultations.
Beneficiaries also received appropriate medications free of charge, while individuals requiring further medical attention were referred to the General Hospital in Iguobazuwa, headquarters of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, and other healthcare facilities for continued treatment.
Speaking during the outreach in Zide community, the Founder of the Foundation, Mr. Goodluck Ilajufi Ebelo, said the initiative was designed to bring healthcare services closer to rural dwellers, particularly during festive periods.
“We do not have hospitals or healthcare centres in this area. So, we decided that during festive periods like Christmas and Easter, we could bring volunteer doctors and medical practitioners to attend to the health needs of the people.
“This initiative has been ongoing for the past three years, and this is the fifth edition,” he said.
Ebelo further disclosed that the foundation plans to refurbish, furnish, and equip abandoned government health facilities in the area, as well as deploy qualified personnel to ensure their functionality.
The Project Director of the Foundation, Dr. Hannah Ojo, noted that the outreach was inspired by the need to reduce preventable deaths in the communities.
“This initiative was born out of the recurring loss of lives from preventable causes. With access to proper healthcare, many of these lives could have been saved.
“Although there are health centres in these communities, they are not operating optimally. Our goal is to help reduce mortality rates by providing essential medical services and linking patients requiring surgical care to appropriate hospitals,” she said.
Also speaking, the Foundation’s implementing partner, Dr. Ugonna Nwigwe, Founder of Through The Eye Place, Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the impact of previous outreaches.
“We have followed up on beneficiaries from our previous outreach in Gbelebu community. One of them shared how beneficial the eyeglasses provided had been and expressed hope for our return. It is fulfilling to make such a positive impact,” she said.
Team Lead in Zide community, Dr. Oyintare Abraham, highlighted the lack of awareness about health conditions among residents.
“Our findings show that many people are unaware of underlying health issues. Hypertension is quite prevalent, even among younger individuals, and in some cases, it is already severe. There is a need for increased government attention to rural healthcare,” he said.
Similarly, the Team Lead in Madagbayo community, Dr. Shalom Azenabor, pointed out the high prevalence of infectious diseases.
“Infectious diseases are common here, alongside several cases of hypertension. If local health centres can carry out basic diagnostic tests, it would significantly improve healthcare delivery. We also observed symptoms that may be linked to Lassa fever, which requires further investigation,” he added.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Chairman of Zide community, Zachariah Lala, expressed gratitude to the foundation.
“We have never experienced this level of free medical care, even from the government,” he said, noting that the foundation had earlier rehabilitated a dilapidated school in the community and employed four teachers.
Another beneficiary, Gabriel Aigbekumo, commended the initiative and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate such efforts.
“These are services that should ordinarily be provided by the government, yet an individual is making a remarkable difference,” he said.
Also speaking, the Youth Chairman of Madagbayo community, Benjamin Olowu, appreciated the completely free nature of the outreach.
“I have received medical attention and medication without paying anything. May God bless those behind this initiative,” he said.