60th anniversary: Apapa General Hospital gives free medical examinations to primary school pupils
60th anniversary: Apapa General Hospital gives free medical examinations to primary school pupils
Segun Oladipupo
In commemoration of its 60th anniversary, the Apapa General Hospital on Thursday, carried out a free medical checks and enlightenment for pupils of primary schools.
The outreach which involved educating the pupils on how to take care of the various parts of their bodies against I’ll health, also witnessed medical examinations on the pupils
The schools that benefitted from the outreach include; Ladylak Nursery and primary school, Apapa primary school and Methodist Primary, and United Christian Primary school
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of General Hospital, Apapa, Dr. Lateefat Omolara Agbaje said it was a way of giving back to the society as a way of celebrating the diamond jubilee of the hospital.
According to the MD, focus has always been on the adults, hence the need to give children the opportunity to express themselves and also be educated to open up whenever they feel any pain in the bodies.
Her words, “We are here celebrating the 60th anniversary of the hospital. The hospital came up in 1964 as a public health centre but it is now a full fledged general hospital
“We are offering them free medical check up as a way of giving back to the society in the occasion of our anniversary.
“There seems to be more focus on the adults and if you listed to some of the talks, they were educated
“Sometime, some things will happen to them and they would not speak up for whatever reason to report to their parents if anything is wrong with them.
“It.is just an opportunity for them to express themselves as you can see they are very joyful and happy to be here ,” she enthused.
Also speaking, Idowu Olajumoke Sebanjo, Chairman, Apapa Local Government commended the gesture.
She added that that it was a huge way of giving back to the society even as she appreciated Lagos State and the Medical Director for the positive contributions to health sector in the state.
She said, “60 years is a very long time. It is something to celebrate and it is something to commend the Lagos State and Dr Agbaje for the job she is doing here
“In celebrating, they encouraged children to come and have free medical examination which is a lot to give back to the society.
“Doing this for them, the parent may not see it as anything but it is a big one and I commend them for that.”
Some of the educational lectured doled out to the pupils include the causes of back pains, which Dr. Abolarin Ayodele, a physiotherapist said included carrying of heavy school bags over a long period of time
“I want to feel you about children that have back pain. Causes of back pain is when you carry school bags that are heavy. If care is not taken, it can affect you as you get older.
Pain in the back can lead you to be unable to walk straight. It also causes muscular pains. It is caused by strains on the nerves.
“I advise you that as you play ball or run, once you feel a pain on your back, tell your parents. It is easier to treat when it is tarts than when it becomes worse.
Therapist Idris told the pupils that the main cause of tooth ache is due to poor oral care.
He maintained that to avoid pain, pupils should brush their teeth at least twice everyday in the morning and night.
He added that too much intake of sugar could lead to tooth ache
Continuing, he taught the pupils how they should brush their teeth and make use of pastes with fluoride
Nurse Blessing,educated them on thoe to care for their eyes.
“Wear goggles and sun shades when in a dusty and sunny place. Avoid going close to the screen. Carry out regular checks on your eyes regularly by blocking one eye and see if the other is blurry.
Drink enough water to prevent dryness of the eye. It keeps your eyes moist.
“Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A to help you see very well. Don’t touch your eyes with dirty hands.”
