In a significant effort to support the health and well-being of visually impaired individuals in Nigeria, BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) hosted a virtual health sensitization and medical kit donation event for the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Lagos State Chapter.
This initiative, driven by BOFIM’s mission to promote inclusion and access to resources for vulnerable groups, saw the donation of 10 accessible (talk-back) blood pressure monitors and 3 accessible blood sugar monitors.
The medical kit donation was fully funded by Marlon Oliver, a UK philanthropist and facilitated by Michael Fadeyi, a Doctorate Researcher at the University of Sussex, UK and a member of NAB Lagos.
While delivering his goodwill message, Michael Fadeyi highlighted the importance of the health sensitization, stressing that the financial struggles caused by rising inflation and healthcare costs have left many unable to afford basic health checks.
Fadeyi said “talking about health couldn’t have come at a better time than now considering the economic hardship and despair prevalent in the land. Many are unable to feed much less look after their health, the depression in the land is damaging our well-being.”
Underscoring Marlon’s role as an ongoing source of support for NAB Lagos, Fadeyi remarked that, “Beginning in 2020, NAB has been blessed by the kindness and generosity of Marlon and his family. Marlon is practically a trustee of this association because, after pleasantries, he always asks, ‘What else can we do for your people?’”.
In his presentation, Dr Francis Okogwu, a general practitioner and the Director of Medical Services at the DFO hospital, Yaba, Lagos, spoke to the participants about staying healthy, both physically and emotionally.
Dr Okogwu highlighted the importance of emotional wellbeing and charged the participants to ensure that nothing tampers with their mental health.
He also recommended routine health check-up and pledged to provide free medical consultation for members of NAB Lagos.
In his response to the good gesture, Barr Lukman Salami, the Chairman of NAB Lagos appreciated Marlon Oliver and Michael Fadeyi for their constant support to the association. He also commended BOFIM for its commitment to disability inclusion.
Barr Salami thereafter charged NAB members to make the most use of the opportunity provided by the medical doctor, as well as the medical kits that have been distributed to the association.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Blessing Oladunjoye, the Executive Director of BOFIM emphasized the foundation’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
Oladunjoye added that, “through initiatives like these, we’re not only providing tools for self-care but promoting a culture where persons with disabilities can manage their health with dignity and autonomy.”
She also commended Marlon Oliver and Michael Fadeyi for taking up the initiatives, stressing that “we look forward to many more fruitful collaborations and impactful outreach activities that can enhance the overall well-being of persons with disabilities.”
This event follows an earlier outreach by BOFIM, also funded by Marlon Oliver and Michael Fadeyi, where visually impaired students from the University of Lagos were gifted laptops and tuition assistance for the 2024/2025 academic session.