By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Ikeja Club has offered free screening for breast and prostate cancer, hypertension and eye problems to residents of Ikeja and its environs, as part of activities marking its 60th anniversary.
The exercise was held recently at the club’s premises, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Speaking during the outreach, the President of Ikeja Club, Aare Musediq Adeleke, explained that the initiative formed part of activities lined up to mark the club’s diamond jubilee and give back to the community.
“For today’s programme, we’re providing free health services for our neighbours and all members of Ikeja Club. We did something similar last year, but this year we scaled it up.
We’re screening for prostate cancer, breast cancer, and high blood pressure. We’re also doing eye tests and giving out glasses to people in the community so they can feel the impact of our club,” Adeleke said.
The club president disclosed that the medical outreach, which formed part of its corporate social responsibility, was funded by the club in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health. “It’s part of our corporate social responsibility. We have paid for everything ourselves with the Lagos State Ministry of Health,” he stated.
Adeleke further revealed that the health outreach would continue beyond his tenure, noting that incoming executives were expected to build on the initiative.
“What you’re seeing is just the beginning. Last year we did it on a small scale. This year it’s bigger. By next year, it will be even bigger. This is a programme the club will continue with even after my tenure. I started it during my tenure, and once it is accepted, the incoming executives will build on it,” he noted.
The exercise attracted residents from Ikeja and neighbouring communities, alongside members and officials of the club. One of the beneficiaries commended the club for organising the screening, particularly amid the rising cost of healthcare.
“At a time like this when the cost of healthcare is so high, for an organisation to organise free screening is a rare feat and a thing of joy,” the beneficiary said.
Other beneficiaries equally thanked the club for the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to access basic health checks at no cost.
