Medical personnel taking vitals of beneficiaries at the outreach
African Doctors for Africa and Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI) non-governmental organisations dedicated to providing health care services has treated over 700 patients for various illnesses in Dobi, a community in Gwagwalada Area Council of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The medical outreach for women and children which commenced on Wednesday centres on malaria control, oral health, hepatitis B and C, nutrition, eyes screening and provision of lenses, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids.
Dobi residents trooped out in numbers for the medical outreach
Aside the testing and treatment, the organisers donated 80 wrappers to women during the outreach.
Declaring the programme opened, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu represented by Mr Joseph Dzungwe, explained that the outreach has given credence to Nigeria’s signing of the UN convention on the rights of the child (CRC) and the convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) as well as other statutes, conventions and treaties which enjoin states parties to ensure the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health facilities for the prevention and treatment of illnesses.
Mrs Anagbogu further noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs places premium on well being and rights to quality health of women and girls and other vulnerable groups in the society hence is collaborating with nongovernmental Organisation and Community based Organizations and other initiatives to this end.
“Government alone cannot meet the health needs of our teaming population hence the need for the contribution of NGOs,CBOs, other stakeholders and partners who provide a variety of services and programmes for the health benefits of the populace”, the Permanent Secretary added.
Also speaking, Mrs Nma Ogbonna, assistant director/head NGOs who represented the director of health planning and statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, said the activities championed by OHAI and African Doctors for Africa would in no small measure contribute to government’s efforts to improve health of the people.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of the community, Alhaji Ismaila Nda-Etsu Dobi lauded the organisers for their commitment in providing medicare to his subjects.
He urged governments at all level to support NGOs such as OHAI that have shown capacity over the time in providing health care services particularly for the local communities.
Earlier, the executive director of OHAI, Dr Ver-or Ngutor expressed excitement over the huge turnout of the people and commended the traditional institution in the area for mobilising its people to take advantage of the programme.
He pledged the commitment of OHAI and African Doctors for Africa to continue to work closely to ensure that that health care is available for as many as possible.
