The Bestina Charity Foundation has provided free healthcare services, medications, and distributed essential items to residents of Iju Ishaga and surrounding communities, offering relief to indigent families struggling with rising medical costs.
During the outreach, beneficiaries received basic medical checks, free drugs, health sensitization, sanitary products, foodstuffs, and clothing.
While applauding the organisation and the impact of the outreach, one of the beneficiaries, 43-year-old Abosede Adio, said the initiative helped her access healthcare she had long postponed.
“I was tested, diagnosed, and given medication. I’ve already started using it and will be going for follow-up checkups,” she said.
When compared to other similar intervention, Adio noted that the outreach by Bestina Lawal Foundation is very different “it was a whole body examination that we did and we got medications instantly. After that, we received some household items. It is all encompassing.”
She appreciated the foundation and urged them to do more, especially as many residents of the communities cannot afford basic healthcare.
Another participant, Christiana Ogunkola, who is in her sixties, said the free services came as a welcome surprise.
“They did well,” she said. “Healthcare is now very expensive, sometimes even the consultation fee alone is a reason we don’t go to the hospital. And now, we have hospital at our door step, this is highly commendable,” she added.
Speaking with BONews Service, Bestina Lawal, the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation explained that the initiative was driven by a passion to ease the burden on vulnerable families.
Lawal said “the health outreach was necessitated because many community members avoid hospitals because they cannot afford care. They often resort to unregulated herbal mixtures, or agbo, which health experts warn may worsen health conditions.
“So, the little we could do to ensure they have quality healthcare is the reason we are here.”
She explained that, during outreaches, “we offer free medical checks, free drugs, health talks, sanitary pads, foodstuffs, and more to support the community.”
Lawal added that the foundation will continue expanding partnerships to reach more underserved people in need of accessible healthcare and essential items.
She appealed to individuals and groups to support the foundation through donations via: Account Number: 0076953850. Bank: Sterling Bank. Name: Lawal-Utoh Ifechukudeni Besttna.
Donations of clothing items and sanitary products can be delivered to the organisation by contacting 07062211432
The outreach drew almost 60 beneficiaries and highlighted the growing need for a community-driven support system.