By Patience Ogbo/
A Lagos based medical doctor, Lanre Ayoade, has called on Nigerians to give back to the community where they are born and bred.
Dr Ayoade spoke during his free medical mission to residents of Apapa Road Community in Ebute- Metta area of Lagos.
The free medical mission is held yearly to mark his birthday.
Speaking on the importance of his health mission tagged “Health is Wealth”, Ayoade said that a healthy community would be a wealthy one.
He said, “I was born and bred in Ebute-Metta area of Lagos. When I was growing up, we had a lot of medical challenges. I told myself then that when I become a medical doctor, I will give free medical treatment to my community. Three years ago, that dream became a reality and on my birthday, the medical mission has given free treatment to over 1500 residents. We are giving free treatment to over 200 patients this year. We will perform over 15 surgeries. We are giving out free glasses, blood test and others. The initiative began at Ago-Egba community. We have visited the Oko-Oba community and given free treatment to the community members.
Mr Ademuyiwa Abodunrin, the chairman planning committee of ‘O’ Larry Cares Initiative urged young persons to make their lives count.
“I have known Dr Ayoade for more than 30 years. We call him mankind due to his humanitarian heart. Three years ago on his birthday, he began giving free medicals to over 1500 persons. His foundation will soon be launched to reach more people with free medicals. Young people can learn from this and give back to society. The spirit of giving is not when you have millions, it is about having a giving heart.”
Mr Olusegun Williams an elder in the community said free medicals should be provided for the community.
“We have seen a situation where people die because they do not have money to pay for the card to see a doctor. A young man has taken the initiative to give free drugs and other medicals to the poor in his community. I commend his efforts and urge others to do same,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries of the free treatment, Alhaji Abiodun Mustapha, said, “I have a stroke and I am diabetic. The doctors conducted the test and I was given drugs. I commend the young man who deemed it fit to remember the poor.”
Another beneficiary, Mr Olusesi Ibrahim, said, “I came for eye treatment and pain in my legs. The doctors attended to me very well and they gave me eyeglasses and drugs for my legs.”
A community leader, Mrs Prudence Abah, the Community Development Secretary, said, “This is the first time the community is having a doctor come to give free medicals. We urge others to emulate him.”
