By Stephen Adeleye.
The Chapel of Freedom International, Lokoja, on Friday offered free medical services and donated foodstuffs to over 200 residents of Okpakere community in Kotokarfe Local Government Area of Kogi.
Dr John Ibenu, the presiding Bishop of the church, told journalists at Okpakere Health Centre, venue of the event, that the church decided to show love to residents of a remote community at Christmas.
According to him, Christmas is a gift of God to humanity; ‘for God so loved the world and he gave his only begotten son.’
“So we should replicate the gift of God to humanity irrespective of colour, tribe or religion.
“Today, our church is giving free medical services and free drugs to patients, hair-cut for children, and distribute foodstuffs; we want to show love to humanity, that is why we are here.
“We are helping the poor to know and improve their health status, and to alleviate their suffering by giving them foodstuffs, clothing materials and treated mosquito nets.
“The crowd here has exceeded our expectation; but it is a good experience. We want the government to take over from here.
“We have also offered free medical services to Crusher, Obajana, Elaite and Ipele communities during our convention. We even dug a borehole at Ipele community,” the cleric said.
Ibenu, who also doubles as the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, commended the traditional ruler and the people of the community for their warm reception.
The Medical Team Leader, Dr Joshua Ibenu, said the medical services offered included random blood sugar test for diabetes, blood pressure, malaria, pneumonia, ulcer, HIV screening, among others.
“We have many volunteers which include: five doctors, four nurses, two pharmacists, three lab attendants, who are on ground to screen people, treat and give free drugs and counseling to patients.
He said the team had attended to over 200 adults, apart from children, and sensitised them on health education and also got a referral for a patient.
The traditional ruler, Alhaji Abdullahi Salihu, the Otaru of Okpareke Community, expressed gratitude to the church for giving his people free medical services and foodstuffs, saying it was the first of its kind in his domain.
“This is the kind of service we have been expecting from governments. We are happy to receive them in our community and we appreciate what they have done for us,” Salihu said.
One of the beneficiaries, Aisha Zakari, whose daughter was treated of malaria, thanked the church for the gesture, saying her daughter was getting better.
“We were sensitised to always follow the advice of health workers and doctors, and ensure that our children get all vaccinnations that doctors recommend,” Zakari said.
Another beneficiary, Shaibu Isa, a community leader, commended the church for coming all the way from Lokoja to put smile in their faces.
Items distributed were included rice, clothing materials, drugs, LLIN (mosquito net), biscuits and free hair cut for children.
(NAN)
