Over five hundred residents of Akanran and environs in Ibadan Oyo State have benefitted from free medical outreach organised by Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Oyo state branch.

The outreach was initiated in order to to help people know their health status and refer those critically to hospital for proper medical care.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria,some of the beneficiaries of the Free Health Outreach, Alfa Qodr Adesina, Mr. Sunday Oyelakin and Miss Deborah Amasori commended the organizer for choosing the area for the programme which they said was good for their health status.

The free medical outreach covered administration of medication, screening and consultation, HIV testing and counseling, mass deworming among other.

In a speech,The Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Oyo state branch, Mr. Adebayo Gbadamosi advised the federal government to provide good welfare packages, basic infrastructure and youth empowerment programmes to reduce exodus of health professionals seeking greener pastures abroad.

Mr. Gbadamosi, who noted that health professionals, especially Pharmacists are leaving Nigeria in droves, stressed the need for government to address the trend to improve Pharmacists retainership which is less than 40%.

The Free Health Outreach also witnessed the Investiture of a foremost philanthropist, Chief Dotun Sanusi as the Grand Patron of the association at Ilaji Resorts, Ibadan.

The ACPN chairman stated that the selection of Chief Sanusi as the Grand Patron of the association was due to his investment in human development services and grassroots touch, which are similar to the aspirations of Pharmacists.

The National President, ACPN, Prince Adewale Oladigbolu while highlighting functions of Pharmacists to include handling public health, drug quality control, diagnosis, research and sourcing raw materials for drug production, appealed to Chief Sanusi to assist association make headway in political appointments in government ministries, departments and agencies to have input in public health policy.

Speaking after his Investiture as the Grand Patron of the Association of Community Pharmacists, ACPN, Oyo state branch, Chief Dotun Sanusi remarked that he was delighted to accept the honour because the association is focused on grassroots which is always dear to him.

Chief Sanusi promised to champion the course of ensuring adequate political inclusion of Pharmacists at state and federal government levels.