Cleric charges govt to lead in rural healthcare provision

A Minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Agbolade Okenla, has charged federal and state governments to lead in the provision of basic amenities, including healthcare in the rural areas of Nigeria.

Okenla, who is the Pastor-in-Charge, City of David Parish of RCCG, gave the charge during the routine free medicare service organized by the church in Karu, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, over the weekend.

He added that Nigerian citizens are not asking for too much but mainly basic needs of life such as infrastructure and good healthcare, which some Christian organisations have been championing.

Okenla disclosed that his parish has in the last few months, provided medical and welfare assistance to over 6000 residents of Kabusa community of FCT before the latest mission, which provided healthcare to hundreds of Karu residents.

According to him, the interventions were in line with the vision of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who charged the members to continue with the Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) – an exercise that costs the church about N7 billion annually for specialist care and free medicare to citizens nationwide.

He said: If the

government fails, then the people resort to the church because there is so much integrity and trust in the church. That is the reason people can commit so many millions to us and believe that we will deliver. And we are delivering.”

The medical director of the church, Dr Theophilus Adoh, disclosed that the medical team, comprising pharmacists, doctors and other technicians have treated hundreds with eye care, organ scans, malaria, high blood pressure and health sensitisation.

“So, there is a lot of allergies. Fortunately for us, when we came for our needs assessment to this community, we saw that. So, we bought a lot of medications that will take care of allergies.

“We provided face masks for those who need them while we hold health talk with the people to boost their knowledge.