Afonchies Pharma Takes Drug Abuse Campaign to Ajah Community

pharmacy

-Conducts free medical screening on over 200 youths

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Afonchies Pharma Limited, a leading community pharmacy in Ajah, Lekki, Lagos, has taken the campaign against drug abuse and misuse, including free medical screening, to the people of Prayer City, Abijo Village, Ajah, Lagos State.

The health campaign and screening exercise were held during the yearly camping programme of the national youth body of the Doers of The Word Evangelical Church, at the Prayer City, Abijo Village, Ajah, Lagos State.

Speaking on the rationale behind the initiatives, Mr Kingsley Ugwu, manager, Afonchies Pharmacy, who was also the coordinator of the campaign, said: “We decided to organise the medical outreach and free screening exercise to give back to our community and to promote healthy living among Nigerians.”

According to him, regular health screening is good as it involves checking patients’ current health status and risks, adding that “if any problems are found, the healthcare provider will provide information on treatment plans and ways that you can prevent health issues in the future.”

The free health screening featured screening for blood glucose level, hypertension, body mass Index (BMI), among others.

Also speaking at the programme, Dr Oyunovo Angela  Evbodi, superintendent pharmacist, Afonchies Pharmacy, Ajah branch, who spoke on behalf of the managing director, Afonchies Pharmaceuticals, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, explained that the free medical screening and awareness campaign were organised as part of the company’s contribution to improving public healthcare.

Speaking further, Evbodi, who had her Pharm. D, from the Kwame Nkrumah University, Ghana, noted that regular health screening and awareness can help detect health problems before they become complicated and sometimes untreatable, adding that by getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, people are taking steps that will help them live  longer and have a healthier life.

She noted that people need to consider their health first in everything they do, adding that looking healthy is not always an indication that one is free from diseases.

“We have discovered that many people do not know where to go to when they want to access drugs; therefore, it is necessary for us to be here to showcase our presence to the people of this community and to tell them that there are lots of things that they are missing by not regularly patronising registered pharmacists”, she said.

Aside health screening and treatment, the Afonchies team also gave health talks and educated the populace on what to do to prevent diseases and better manage their health. A major component of the health outreach programme was a lecture on drug abuse and misuse as well as management of diabetes and hypertension.

In his lecture titled, “Management of Diabetes and Hypertension”, Pharm. Peter Ogbole, spoke on the importance of regular physical exercise to the body, saying although it may not be easy initially, the benefits far outweigh any pain that may be involved.

Ogbole also urged the participants to have their blood pressure checked periodically, in order to avert cardiovascular diseases, which he said are very deadly.

While appreciating Afonchies for the good gesture, the pastor in-charge of the youth body, Pastor Leo Fadare, said he was quite happy with the team, noting that the free screening exercise and lecture were a big boost to the programme and would linger in the memory of the youngsters.

He further enjoined other healthcare providers and organisations in the country to take a cue from what Afonchies Pharma has done and reach out to assist people in enjoying better health as a way of giving back to the society.