2021 Medical Outreach
The medical outreach event for this year was conducted at the First Baptist Church in Isokun, Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, on November 20, 2021. The medical team comprised volunteer physicians, family practitioners, dentists, ophthalmologists, medical officers, pharmacists, nurses, and dieticians.
Individuals from underprivileged backgrounds traveled considerable distances to benefit from the complimentary medical consultations, eye examinations with free reading glasses, dental checkups, free medications, and refreshments. Participants suffering from cataracts were advised on sponsored surgical options, leading to at least two successful surgeries.
Common medical conditions addressed during the outreach included enlarged prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, breast and cervical malignancies, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. To enhance understanding, informational booklets were distributed to the attendees.
A total of 184 individuals participated in the program, with 137 (74.5%) identified as female and 47 (25.5%) as male. Among the attendees, 9 (4.9%) were children and 53 (28.8%) were classified as elderly. The mean age of participants was 46.9 years with a standard deviation of ± 20.0, encompassing a range from 2 to 84 years.
The outreach identified prevalent eye conditions including refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, cataracts, presbyopia, glaucoma, and pterygium. Common general medical diagnoses included malaria, hypertension, arthritis, lumbar spondylosis, peptic ulcer disease, sleep disturbances, diabetes, toothaches, infertility, otitis media, and anxiety disorders.
The most frequently observed medical conditions were malaria (20.3%), hypertension (18.1%), poor vision (8.8%), arthritis (5.5%), lumbar spondylosis (5.5%), upper respiratory tract infections (4.4%), and peptic ulcer disease (3.3%). Among the 140 individuals who underwent blood glucose testing, 3 (2.1%) were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, of the 131 individuals who received eye assessments, 13 (9.9%) were diagnosed with cataracts, although refractive errors represented the most common eye diagnosis. At least one participant required a tooth extraction during the program. Additionally, the mean weight of the participants was recorded at 22.2 kg with a standard deviation of ± 6.1; among them, 48 (27.9%) were classified as underweight and 18 (10.5%) as obese. Detailed observations from the outreach are elaborated in a comprehensive report.
The Free Medical Outreach 2021 was deemed a success, highlighting the significant need for accessible and affordable quality healthcare within local communities. Implementing health insurance initiatives and striving for universal health coverage may address these critical needs effectively.
