27th April, 2024
An NGO, Centre for Integrated Health Programmes (CIHP), in partnership with the French Embassy, has carried out free medical treatment for no fewer than 500 mothers and babies in Kuchingoro community, FCT.
The exercise was tagged #ForMothersandBabies#.
Speaking during the health outreach, Ms Ketty Regis, Attachee de Cooperation of France Embassy in Nigeria, said it was part of the 2024 World Health Day celebration to support two or three NGOs on health issues.
Regis said that the embassy decided to support the organisation on mother and children’s health as health and gender was one of the embassy’s priorities.
“We train them on how to prevent malaria; do de-worming and also handle anemia.
” We will continue to support NGOs on health because with good health, a country will develop better,” she said.
Dr Francis Ogirima, Director, Clinical Services, CIHP, said that the goal of the organisation was to improve health outcome to all Nigerians and to increase awareness on health of women and children.
Ogirima said that the community was chosen because it needed such healthcare services.
“We want to increase the health outcome in Nigeria which is our focus,” he said.
Also, Dr Emmanuel Udeh, Associate Director, Health System Strengthening, CIHP, said that the health status of a nation was always measured by wellness of women and children.
Udeh said that was the reason the organisation focused on women and children.
“This outreach is necessary because women and children that are vulnerable are screened for anemia related illnesses; treated for malaria, de-wormed, among others.
“The outreach is very important first and foremost to draw awareness that women need to check their health status particularly for anemia also ensure that their children have access to healthcare services,” Udeh said.
According to him, in such community, there is need to educate mothers that children need to be de-wormed at least every six month to prevent anemia.
One of the beneficiaries, Amina Isa, said that she was grateful to the organisers for receiving free medicines after being tested.
Isa said that the outreach had enabled her to know that her blood level was low.
“They have advised me on what to do to bring it to normal; I was given some drugs and the doctor advised me on usage.
“I am grateful for being part of this outreach; may God continue to bless them, she said.
Another beneficiary, Hawa Ibrahim, appreciated the number of medical doctors that were available to cater for them.
“By just seeing the number of young doctors present, I was already healed, their approach and cancelling was beautiful.
“I pray they visit other communities for them to benefit also,” Ibrahim said.
(NAN)