The 72nd edition of the annual International convention with the theme “Heaven” started from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, August 11, 2024, at The Redemption City, Mowe Ogun State (Lagos-Ibadan Way) at the new ultra modern Auditorium of the Church along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
The Redeemers Aids Initiative for People and Communities (RAPAC) in a bid to positively impact the annual convention participants with free quality Social and healthcare services. Health and counselling stands were positioned at various strategic points on the camp ground to provide health talks, medical check-ups, counselling and interactive sessions, prompt referral services to all health seeking individuals on the redemption city of God. The various tests conducted include blood sugar tests, prostrate cancer screening for men above 40 years, Malaria, HIV, Hepatitis B and C. Those identified to be positive were appropriately attended to.
In addition, there were also one-on-one medical consultations, eye care services, family planning counsels, dental check-ups and the provision of free drugs after tests for attendees. A total of 3500 were reached with quality social, health and spiritual services intervention during the convention. Our target groups during the convention include health seeking individuals, pregnant, women, men, adolescent/youths, pastors/ministers/workers, aged, barbers, deaf and dumb, hairdressers, food vendors amongst others.
In order to provide quality products and services for the annual convention participants RAPAC pre-convention activity started with sensitization/training and medical health screening checks for national kitchen staffs, Barbers, deaf and dumb and Hair dressers including food vendors who will provide services and handle/prepare/sell food during the convention. A total of 2,686 (M=679; F=2007) were medically tested. This was done in collaboration with the environmental health department.
RAPAC also focused on health/hygiene, disease prevention and control because of the upsurge in the cases of cholera in the country. This was done by creating awareness and providing the congregants as well as all departments on the camp packages containing liquid hand wash and alcohol based sanitizers. The members of staff and volunteers were engaged in distribution of behavioral change communication materials (BCC) to convention worshippers.
RAPAC collaborated with other health related units i.e National Kitchen, Camp Maternity, National Usher department, and environmental health units so as to reach more people during this year’s convention with improved social and healthcare services.
In conclusion, Spiritual information and counselling were also offered as appropriate to everyone who visited our medical stands. Some of those counselled gave their lives to Christ. It was perfect jubilee indeed as we were able to reach multitudes of congregants who expressed their gratitude for the timely intervention. The details of the various activities are highlighted in the body of this report.
