Health: DMercy-P Humanitarian Foundation Screens 59 Indigent Residents in Osun, Warns Against Self-Medication

An Osun-based humanitarian organisation, DMercy-P Humanitarian Foundation, has urged Nigerians to prioritise regular medical check-ups and health screenings to prevent avoidable health complications and medical emergencies.

The foundation gave the advice during a one-day medical outreach organised for 59 indigent residents of Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, where beneficiaries received medical screenings, health assessments, medications and supplements.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, the Executive Director of the foundation, Omowumi Alabi, represented by its Legal Adviser, Paul-Kehinde Adetoro, said the organisation was established to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable members of society, irrespective of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Alabi stressed that the foundation was not established for profit-making but was driven by a commitment to ensuring that people have access to basic healthcare services and preventive health information.

She said, “Ours is not a profit-making organisation or an alternative avenue to exploit people. Rather, it is a vision borne out of the desire to see everyone live a healthy life, free from preventable health crises, regardless of their background or social status.

“Your health must be a priority above everything else. This can only be achieved through regular medical check-ups and screenings. As they say, health is wealth, and that is why we are here today to provide medical support through this outreach.”

She congratulated residents for benefiting from the initiative and encouraged them to take advantage of available healthcare services rather than waiting until illnesses become severe.

Speaking at the programme, the facilitator, Deaconess Elizabeth Arowosafe, educated participants on diabetes, explaining its meaning, types, symptoms, treatment options, management and preventive measures.

She emphasised the importance of early detection, routine medical examinations, healthy eating habits and regular physical exercise in reducing the risks associated with diabetes.

Arowosafe also advised people living with the condition to adhere strictly to prescribed medications and medical recommendations, while encouraging increased public awareness and collective efforts to tackle the disease.

She cautioned against self-medication, noting that the practice could expose individuals to avoidable health risks and complications.

According to her, regular medical examinations remain a more effective and less costly approach to healthcare than waiting until an illness develops into a serious medical emergency.

“The best way to detect or prevent any ailment is to go for regular medical check-ups, which are cheaper to maintain than dealing with a full-blown health crisis. You must also avoid self-medication, as many people unknowingly put their lives at risk through this practice,” she said.

The outreach offered 59 residents of Olorunda Local Government Area access to basic medical screening and health assessments, alongside medications and supplements to support their well-being.

Beneficiaries identified with critical health conditions were referred to the state hospital for further medical evaluation and appropriate treatment.

The foundation said the intervention was part of its commitment to promoting accessible healthcare, preventive health education and improved quality of life for underserved communities.

It reaffirmed its determination to sustain humanitarian interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, in line with its guiding philosophy: “Compassion Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”