REVOM Health Outreach Mission UK Takes Free Health to Rural Dwellers in Ogun
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
In every part of the developing world, there are always groups of people and communities who find it difficult to assess basic health care due to poor infrastructure, lack of good roads poverty, poor or in most cases lack of adequate rural staffing.
However, in answer to this, some kind hearted people who strongly believe that Health is wealth volunteers to take delight in providing succor to the sick and needy through medical outreach missions as avenues to reach out to the less privileged.
Their motivation to organise medical outreach missions named, REVOM, according to Dr Tunji Olaleye an indigine of Eggua in Yewa North, Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State, Nigeria who is the Mission Secretary/Coordinator, was borne out of the realisation and acceptance of the fact that the government alone cannot entirely meet the health care needs of the citizenry particularly of those who live in remote rural communities.
“Provisions of healthcare services to this group of rural dwellers no matter how basic, ad-hoc, or temporary are hampered by bad/inaccessible roads, bureaucratic bottlenecks, poor infrastructure, poverty and inadequate staffing of medical and healthcare practitioners; hence the need for organisations like ours which can disregard these impediments to give a lease of life to these deprived ones.” He said with passion.
REVOM, he said, is an independent service oriented Non-Governmental, non- politically affiliated, not-for-profit organisation founded in 2009.
“It is a group of passionate, dedicated and service oriented professionals who are genuinely interested in the medical well being of the less privileged in the society.
“The organisation organises medical outreach missions in remote rural areas of Ogun state where patients benefit from free medical and surgical treatments.”
REVOM, according to Dr Olaleye, is a non-sectarian organisation and it respects the rights of patients and endeavours to provide service to all who come to the mission site for treatment regardless of their age, race, gender, tribe or political beliefs.
Since its inaugural mission in 2009, REVOM, he said, has consistently and successfully organised medical outreach missions and over 5,000 patients have so far benefited from these missions.
“REVOM is not funded by any government or agency; hence the organisation relies on the kindness and support of people of goodwill particularly its numerous medical and health care volunteers who provide their skills and services free of charge at the missions.” He submitted.
Piloting this mission aside Dr Olaleye are; Pastor Alex Abiola from Ayetoro but based in USA and Rev (DR) Adewale Kuyebi from Ado-odo based in Ireland.
According to Dr Olaleye, the mission now have about 13 members in all. “We have board members scattered in USA, UK, Ireland and Nigeria”, adding, REVOM is registered in the UK while registration process for Ireland, USA and Nigeria are on-going.
Dr Olaleye revealed to NigerianEcho that, REVOM has carried out health activities at the following locations; State Hospital Ayetoro, Ogun State, Nigeria – Oct. 2009; Health Centre Eggua, Ogun State, Nigeria – Nov 2009; State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria – Oct 2010; State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria – April 2012; Health Centre, Owode Yewa Ogun State, Nigeria – Sept 2013 and General Hospital, Ifo, Ogun State, Nigeria – Sept 2013.
Speaking on how they have been carrying out the mission objective successfully, Dr Olaleye said, it has been grace of God and their partners.
He said, “REVOM is grateful for the huge support of our partners who contribute in no small measure to the huge success of the missions.
“REVOM has enjoyed the co-operation, support and encouragement from the Ogun State Ministry of Health whose leading officials also volunteer their services at the missions. The Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses & Midwives (NANNM) and other healthcare professionals have also been encouraging and helpful by cooperating and volunteering their professional services and time.
“REVOM is appreciative of these wonderful people. REVOM is also thankful to GSK Pharmaceutical, Ikeja for donating medications for the mission, Angel & Eagle Global Rescue service for placing all their resources at the disposal of REVOM, NCI for their endorsement and for the support of RC of Navan, Ireland and other leading members of the Rotary International.” He said.
According to REVOM, “It would have been very difficult without these wonderful supports and partnerships”.
The next Mission, Dr Olaleye told NigerianEcho, is slated for 10th – 13th November 2014 in Lagos Nigeria. The Mission, he said, will be jointly sponsored by REVOM and the Rotary Club of Akowonjo
