Encomiums as Ibadan traders benefits from OSOAF free health outreach programme

Hundreds of traders cutting across different markets within the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State had in the last three weeks benefitted from the free health care programme organised by the Olalekan Sanni Open Arm Foundation (OSOAF) a non-governmental organisation based in Ibadan to support and care for the health concerns of the traders in some selected markets within the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The selected markets that participated in the free health programme that lasted for three weeks include Bodija Market, Iso Pako, Sango, Gbaremu and Mokola markets.

At each of the markets, 100 traders, young and old men and women inclusive, were tested freely for various ailments which include high blood pressure, blood sugar level, temperature and pulse rate, malaria-related ailments for the whole three weeks period.

They were given drugs relating to the ailments they were tested for with instructions on how to take care of themselves.

The beneficiaries who trooped out in their hundreds to participate in the free programme, expressed their appreciation to the founder of the organisation, Olalekan Sanni Open Arm foundation for its gesture which, according to them, has allowed them to know their health status and receive treatment which ordinarily they could not have afforded the bill for treatment.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Toyin Alayande who lauded the foundation for initiating the idea of organising the programme, stressed that before now, it was difficult for many of them, who are mainly illiterates, to go for medical checkups for fear of not being able to afford the fees

Another beneficiary, Mr Okeke Sunday commended the sponsor, Hon. Olalekan Sanni for making the welfare of others his priority, stressing that the gesture will go a long way in helping those who are being denied access to quality care due to lack of money to get themselves tested free of charge.

Speaking on the motive behind the gesture, the initiator and President of the foundation, Hon. Sanni said that he organised the medical outreach programme, which is aimed at providing quality health care to people in various markets in the Ibadan metropolis, because of his passion to lend a helping hand to the needy.

Sanni, an Ibadan indigene who is based in the United States of America, further hinted that the foundation was initiated to cater for the welfare of other people, especially the underprivileged in the society, stressing that the foundation was not limited to medical welfare alone.

According to him, “we have made up our minds to make meaningful impacts in the lives of our people, that is why their welfare is our concern and major priority, and from time to time reaching out to them, by rendering various social services and assistance to support them”, he added.

Also speaking in the same vein, the wife of the founder, Mrs Abidemi Sanni expressed her happiness at the huge turn-out of beneficiaries at each of the markets that participated in the programme stressing that many people are living with various ailments which they were unable to treat as a result of lack of money to go for medical check-up.

Mrs Sanni, who led other members of the foundation throughout the programme, disclosed that apart from the health care outreach, the foundation had embarked upon other programmes including distribution of school materials for indigent pupils in some public schools which was done at the beginning of the 2021/2022 academic session, financial assistance for the traders, widows among other poverty alleviation programmes.

Some of the traders that also spoke and commended the founder included the Iyaloja of Mokola Market, Mrs Feyisara Azeez, Mrs Lolade Kilade, Fayemi Gbenga, Pa Rabi Ibrahim, Babaloja Gbaremu market, Mrs Foluke Olawuyi, Olasunkanmi Elizabeth among others.