Ugbajo Itsekiri UK takes free medical outreach to Omadino, other Itsekiri communities

As part of activities marking the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Ugbajo Itsekiri, United Kingdom, has taken free medical services to residents of Omadino in Warri South Local Government Area and neighbouring riverine communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area, all of Delta State.

The outreach, which attracted medical professionals, volunteers and beneficiaries, offered free health screening, medication, reading glasses and eye-care services, including cataract diagnosis and referrals for surgery.

Speaking during the exercise, President of Ugbajo Itsekiri UK, Mr. Mejebi Eyewuoma, said the initiative had been sustained for close to a decade as part of the organisation's commitment to improving access to healthcare in Itsekiri communities.

Eyewuoma, said the group deliberately selects communities where there is a clear need for medical intervention, noting that the outreach was not restricted to any particular age group or community.

“We have been doing this medical outreach for close to 10 years now. Every year, we identify a community where there is a need and reach out to the people,” he said.

He explained that the services provided included free eye screening, reading glasses, cataract operations, general health checks and medications for various medical conditions.

“We are excited to be here in Warri. We have our team from the United Kingdom—doctors, nurses and pharmacy professionals—who have all come back to support our people,” Eyewuoma said.

According to him, the initiative had already helped many people regain their sight through cataract interventions, while others had received free medication, blood pressure and diabetes checks, among other services.

He said the positive feedback from previous beneficiaries had encouraged the organisation to continue the programme, adding that some communities had requested that the team return because of the impact of earlier outreaches.

Eyewuoma said the organisation was particularly concerned about people living in riverine communities who often struggle to access healthcare because of financial and geographical barriers.

“We are hoping to see people from neighbouring communities across the river coming here to access these free healthcare services. You never can tell, we may come to your community next, so just watch the space,” he said.

He stressed that the programme was open to people of all ages, explaining that the team had medication for children as well as adults and would attend to people according to their medical needs.

The Ugbajo Itsekiri UK president also disclosed that some patients diagnosed with hypertension and other chronic conditions during the outreach were assessed and provided with medication to help them continue their treatment.

He said financial hardship remained a major challenge for many people, particularly residents of riverine communities, who might have been diagnosed with health conditions but could not afford their prescribed medication.

“Support is not always financial. It can be in the form of talking to someone, giving reassurance, counselling, providing free medication or free consultation. There are lots of things that we are looking at doing,” he said.

Eyewuoma further disclosed that the organisation was exploring ways of moving beyond an annual medical outreach to establish a more sustainable support system for beneficiaries after the medical team had left a community.

He attributed the renewed interest in community development among Itsekiri people in the diaspora to the support and encouragement provided under the leadership of Ogiame Atuwatse III.

“We are here to explore that and to partner with other groups as well. We have people from different associations in the United Kingdom here as volunteers. That is how we work collaboratively—supporting one another and supporting our community,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Dareen Ekpede Edema, Director of Operations, Ugbajo Itsekiri UK, said the organisation had been conducting health outreaches for more than 10 years as part of its commitment to giving back to the community.

Edema, a nurse-midwife who works at King's College Hospital, London, said the association was blessed with medical professionals, including doctors, pharmacists and midwives, who volunteered their expertise to support the exercise.

She said the organisation was considering a more structured system that would enable the team to follow up with patients after each outreach rather than limiting care to a single visit.

“We want to have a more robust service where there will be follow-up after each visit, so that it is not just a snapshot of care and then we leave until next year,” she said.

Edema also expressed interest in extending the initiative to maternal healthcare, particularly antenatal care, but noted that such a programme would require sustained funding and collaboration with healthcare professionals on the ground.

“As a midwife, it has always been my passion to see good antenatal care and to give education that attending the hospital is the best way, because the high rate of maternal and infant deaths in this country can be avoided,” she said.

She, however, stressed the need for adequate funding before commencing such a programme to ensure that the service could be sustained.

A prominent member of Ugbajo Itsekiri UK, Barrister Jolomi Omagbitse, said the organisation had been involved in community health interventions for many years, describing the initiative as an opportunity to put smiles on the faces of Itsekiri people.

According to him, the group moves from one community to another each year, with the choice of location determined by the needs identified by the organisation.

“It is a joy when you see your people enjoying some of the benefits we have provided today. It encourages us, and this is an opportunity for us to thank everyone involved in the entire process, financially and otherwise,” Omagbitse said.

He added that the organisation hoped to reach more communities in the coming years, noting that the exercise was sustained through contributions and fundraising activities by members and supporters.

The immediate past President of Ugbajo Itsekiri UK and member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Julius Temisanren, said the outreach was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of residents of Omadino and neighbouring communities.

Temisanren said the organisation would continue to support communities within its capacity, while appealing to beneficiaries to take personal responsibility for their health.

“We cannot do everything, and government cannot do everything. The little we can do to support our people, we will continue to do,” he said.

He urged residents not to ignore symptoms or delay seeking medical attention because of the belief that a health condition could be managed at home.

“If you need to go to the hospital, clinic or even a chemist for a check-up, it is necessary. We also encourage our people to look after their health,” he said.

The medical team also identified cases requiring further treatment, particularly eye conditions, with patients needing cataract surgery referred for appropriate intervention, with the organisation indicating its willingness to support eligible beneficiaries with treatment costs.

For some residents, the outreach provided relief from health challenges that had persisted for years.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Anthony, a 57-year-old resident of Omadino, expressed appreciation after receiving free reading glasses.

“I am very happy because I have benefited from the free eyeglasses,” he said, adding that he had experienced the eye problem for about three years.

Another speaker, Dr. Mrs. Tosan Amorighoye, said the primary purpose of the programme was to support people in need of basic healthcare as part of activities marking the fifth coronation anniversary of Ogiame Atuwatse III.

She noted that the initiative had become a regular feature of the coronation anniversary activities, providing an avenue for people in communities to access healthcare services without worrying about the cost.

The current Vice President of Ugbajo Itsekiri UK, Mrs. Rolly Maku, also called for greater attention to people living with special needs.

Maku said people with special needs, particularly children, should not be hidden or treated as a source of shame, but should instead be accepted and supported by their families and communities.

She advocated greater awareness and the establishment of appropriate support systems for people with special needs, noting that early identification of their needs would make it easier to provide the necessary care.

The outreach attracted residents from Omadino and surrounding communities, with organisers expressing optimism that similar interventions would reach other riverine communities in subsequent years.

The exercise underscored the growing role of Itsekiri professionals and organisations in the diaspora in supporting healthcare delivery at the grassroots, particularly among communities where poverty, distance and difficult terrain often limit access to essential medical services.

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