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As the world celebrated the diabetes day, a non-governmental organization, Medical Aid and Advocacy for the Vulnerables Foundation (MAAVF) tested and treated hundreds of villagers in Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State for the ailment.

The medical group, under the management of Dr. Mofeoluwa Akinbogun (University of Wisconsin, Medical School, USA), co-founder of MAAVF, and Dr. Modesire Akinbogun, a co-founder, chose to go to the rural areas as a result of inadequate and nonavailability of medical facilities.

Residents of Bolorunduro, the local council headquarters, villages and other sorrounding settlements, most who came in with walking sticks, stormed the Bolorunduro Civic Centre, venue of the exercise on Friday, to received medical attention which the organisers had announced on radio before the D-Day.

Some people even came from Ondo West Local Government Area to received free test and treatment from the medicare service providers.

Consumables were given free to the beneficiaries most of who were old and middle age from Owena, Bolorunduro, and other sorrounding settlements.

Students of secondary schools within the local government area were also specially invited by the organisers who enlightened them on the cause, prevention, detection, symptoms and treatment of the ailment.

After the enlightenment session, all the attendees were screened to know their blood sugar levels.

Leading the medical team, 21-year-old Dr. Modesire Akinbogun said the programme was designed to tackle diabetes at the grassroots.

She said the organization would also give proper follow-up care for the vulnerable residents.

Dr. Modesire Akinbogun said: “Last year we picked five patients and paid for their medications for a month. Sadly, when we returned for follow-up, one of them had died from complications. That experience shaped today’s programme. This is where passion meets purpose.

“This outreach is not just for today. We are screening, consulting, giving medications, and we will also select two patients with very elevated blood sugar for full follow-up.

“For six months, we will cover their tests, drugs, and everything they need to bring down their blood sugar and prevent complications.”

Engaging the students beyond diabetes, Dr. Modesire Akinbogun enlightened and inspired the students on why they should conceive visions and pursue them resiliently.

She explained that the event was structured in five phases -screening, consultation, referrals, patient sponsorship, and student sensitisation.

Dr. Modesire Akinbogun added that an essay competition on diabetes awareness would follow, with N150,000, N100,000 and N75,000 prizes for the top three winners.

She said: “We want the students to fully understand the gravity of diabetes while rewarding academic effort.

“We invited the students of secondary schools within Ondo East Local Government Area to learn about the preventive measures of diabetes and act as community change agents.

“We realised many students here do not even take JAMB, WAEC or finish SS3. Some dropped out to become farmers or young mothers. We encouraged them to think beyond their environment and aim higher.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Tolulope Lawrence Akinbogun, who attended the exercise in support of his children, said the decision to bring the medical intervention to his country home was a personal mission.

The lecturer at Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA) said: “Charity begins at home. I want to integrate my children into the Nigerian society, into our culture, before they travel abroad and get alienated.

“Ignorance is a disease. Many people die from avoidable ailments because they lack knowledge. Advocacy is crucial, that’s why we are here.”

Speaking on the sponsorship of the outreach, Prof. Akinbogun said it’s currently run on the bill of the family.

He also disclosed that the family also runs an educational foundation focusing on supporting disadvantaged pupils.

“We don’t have external sponsors yet. Whatever God has given us is what we are giving back,” Prof. Akinbogun said.

Commending the Akinboguns for the philanthropic gesture, Prof. Chief Sunday Ogunduyile, a former Vice Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, who was at the exercise, said it’s challenging to other sons and daughters of the local government area.

He said: “When I heard about this initiative, I asked how he planned to succeed since he is not in the medical line. But his vision convinced me.
“Seeing the turnout today, I believe it is a huge success.”

The professor, who urged people to support such initiatives, lamented the impact of professional flight(Japa syndrome) on the health sector of the nation.

He said: “Hospitals where we had 20 doctors now barely have one. The economy must improve so medical professionals can stay and serve their communities.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Joshua Ogunduyilemi, commended the organisers, describing the outreach as a lifeline for residents.

He said: “This is a humanitarian project. Many people here cannot ordinarily access medicare. What MAAVF is doing is commendable.

“Where the foundation stops, the local government will take it up. We’ll report this to the governor. This must not be a one-off event.”

Dr. Modesire Akinbogun was accompanied by her colleagues and some students of Federal University of Technology Akure Medical College.

It was discovered that many of the people who were present had not undergone diabetes test before despite their age.

A number of them, who were aware of their diabetes status, said they could not afford some of the medicines.

They also complained that they had to travel to the state capital, Akure, before they could get some of the consumables to buy.