From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has expressed the need for the government to partner with reliable bodies that demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of the people to extend effective healthcare services.

While lamenting that the federal government is not doing enough in the provision of basic healthcare services, the church appealed to government and private stakeholders to urgently strengthen the health care facilities and services across the country particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The pastor-in-charge of the RCCG, City of David Parish, Utako, Gbolade Okenla made the call during the Parish’s outreach programme in the Karu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Pastor Okenla disclosed that RCCG spends over N7 billion annually on the provision of infrastructure and medical interventions across the country through its Social Christian Responsibility (CSR) programmes, to complement government efforts.

The RCCG frequently conducts medical outreaches, providing free consultations, diagnostics tests, and surgeries as well as foodstuff to the less privileged in the society.

Okenla said the gesture is in line with the vision of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for the church to share the love of Christ in the rural communities.

He disclosed that over the years, the RCCG raised so much money within the church to show love to people because of its commitment to the welfare of the people.

“I will say that the cost of this investment runs into millions. In Nigeria alone, the RCCG as a body spends over N7 billion on Christian Social Responsibility. That is what the entire Redeemed Christian Church of God has spent in minimum, on building hospitals, doing free medical services in different states, building Intensive Care Units (ICU’s) in different states, universities and donating other medical materials.

“So we are asking the Federal government that if a body like the RCCG and other Christian organisations can do these, the federal government can do more.

“They just need to pay more attention, to be more proactive rather than passive. The people that are responsible at different levels should take their responsibilities and be intentional about reaching out to the people. It’s all about intention, passion and looking after the less privileged.

“Nigerians are not looking for so many things, but the basic infrastructure is what people are asking for. Free medical attention, things like good roads are what the people are asking for.”

Similarly, the church medical director, Theophilus Adoh, said by providing accessible and basic medical services to the less privileged, the country will save funds by achieving a healthier population.

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