The Ondo state government is set to provide free medical attention to residents of the state beginning from March 10. The state government is collaborating with some federal medical bodies to perform this exercise.

According to a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the free medical exercise which will hold from 10th to 13th of March is in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), State Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) and Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment programme (SURE-P).

The program will target a minimum of 10,0000 residents of the state who are expected to be tested and counselled on blood pressure, sugar level, HIV testing among.

The exercise has been scheduled to hold at the Democracy Park, Akure and FUTA Sports complex, Akure.

While commenting on the development the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, who lauded the federal government initiative, assured that the state government will provide enabling logistics and needed facilities to aid the free medical service.

He maintained that the government is in full support of the programme and therefore urged the people to troop out en- masse and partake in the free medical outreach.

Corroborating his view, the Project Manager of ODSACA, Dr. ‘Dayo Adegbulu, observed that a structure involving relevant stakeholders has been put in place to ensure there is adequate and efficient delivery of free medical service to the people, stressing that adequate preparation is on ground to get the best service for the people.

Also speaking on the programme, the Prevention Focal Officer on HIV in Nigeria and leader of the NACA/IHVN/SACA/LACA/SURE-P free medical outreach, Dr. (Mrs) Uduak Essen, stated that residence of Ondo State are targetted for the third phase of the programme, which is to provide free medical consultation, prescription and pharmaceutical service to enable the people access needed care, while incentives will also be provided for participants.