In a significant philanthropic gesture, renowned industrialist and Chairman of the Eleganza Group of Industries, Chief Rasaq Okoya, has launched a comprehensive free healthcare program for 1,500 residents of Lagos State. The initiative, which commenced on Monday, is part of the activities marking the business mogul's 86th birthday.
A Birthday Gift of Health to the Community
The eight-day medical outreach is specifically targeted at the Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Chief Okoya outlined that the program is designed to provide free medical services to at least 150 beneficiaries daily throughout its duration. In a move that underscores the initiative's depth, he announced that any patient referred to a general hospital for further treatment would have their medical bills fully covered by the program.
Explaining his motivation, Okoya emphasized that good health is the bedrock of a productive life. "Health is wealth. I want people to be healthy," he stated. He further revealed that the outreach aims to promote the critical importance of early disease detection, noting that timely diagnosis is essential for effective management and can prevent premature death.
Personal Experience Drives Advocacy for Early Checks
The industrialist bolstered his message with a personal health journey. He disclosed that he was once diagnosed with prostate issues, which were successfully treated because they were identified early. "I was diagnosed with prostate because it was detected early. I have been able to treat it and I am living healthy afterwards," Okoya shared.
He used this experience to urge all Nigerians to prioritize regular medical check-ups, describing early detection as a non-negotiable element of effective healthcare. Expressing gratitude for his longevity, he added, "Long life means you have to take care of yourself and just like a car, you need to service your body regularly."
Government and Family Backing for the Initiative
The initiative received commendation from the Lagos State Government. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, praised Okoya, noting that the outreach aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's THEMES+ agenda. She highlighted that it underscores the reality that the government cannot single-handedly meet all healthcare needs, calling for more private sector partnerships.
Dr. Ogunyemi also echoed the call for early detection, emphasizing its role in preventing diseases from becoming life-threatening. Meanwhile, Chief Okoya's wife, Mrs. Folashade Okoya, announced that the free medical outreach would become an annual event, giving residents another opportunity for testing and treatment next year. She thanked the Lagos State Government and partners like Mecure for their support.
Beneficiaries Laud Impactful and Well-Organized Exercise
The impact of the program was immediately felt by recipients. One beneficiary, Tosin Johnson, expressed profound gratitude to the Okoya family. She described the exercise as impactful and exceptionally well-organized.
"I was attended to by highly committed professionals who listened to me and provided adequate information on how to manage my ailments," Johnson said. "I got drugs, eyeglasses and did a series of tests and screenings that would have cost me over N100,000, but I did not pay a kobo."
In addition to free medical care, beneficiaries were each given N10,000 as transport fare and food allowance, as promised by the celebrant. Johnson used the opportunity to call on other affluent Nigerians to emulate Chief Okoya's example by supporting access to free healthcare for the less privileged, setting a powerful precedent for corporate social responsibility in Nigeria's health sector.
