ASPHCDA in collaboration with UNICEF conducts health outreach in flood affected LGAs
By Nnedinma Okeke/Chukwudi Nwauba
The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) conducts Intergrated Immunization and Health Outreach in flood affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state.
Some of the Services rendered in the ongoing health outreach programme includes; Routine Immunisation (RI), Medical Consultation, Health Education, COVID-19 Vaccination, Nutritional Screening, Ante-natal Care and Birth Registration.
The Senior Medical Officer, Umueri General Hospital, Dr Chinenye John-Peter Obi described the medical outreach as a makeshift clinic which aimed at providing free of charge quality and assured healthcare delivery services to communities/persons affected by flooding.
Dr Obi while consulting during the health outreach at Umuoba-Anam Primary Health Centre (PHC), Anambra East LGA, explained that the objective of the programme was to breach the shortchanged gap the people experienced as a result of the flooding.
``During the 2022 flooding, most of these communities were submerged by water. So, this is an intervention by the State Government in collaboration with our supporting partners; UNICEF to ensure that the people not feel alone, forgotten nor neglected."
The Doctor explained that the effects of after flooding such as the financial loss could be a constraint to the people in accessing healthcare services.
``This is why the state government and development partners decided to bring these healthcare services to the people free of charge as they are not making any payments for the services rendered to them, such as checking of vitals, consultation and treatment/drugs."
Dr Obi who was also the Assistant State Epidemiologist, Anambra State Public Health Emergency Operational Centre, Awka noted that the programme kicked off immediately the flooding ended in 2022.
``Currently, the programme is going to run for the next three months and it is achieving its objectives, because the people always turn up in large numbers and are happy when they see us; as most of them have financial constraints in accessing adequate healthcare services."
Dr Obi while noting that the programme was a welcome development, urged the people to take advantage of its benefits.
``In this health outreach, we have discovered Hypertension patients who were never aware that they were hypertensive and this is one of the benefits of the outreach as some persons who are hypertensive or diabetic may not actually be aware of it.
``Apart from giving them drugs, we also carry out basic tests such as checking their Sugar levels and Blood Pressure (BP).
``So, during an outreach such as this, we can notify these persons without previous knowledge of their health status and link them to the health facilities where they will continue visiting for their healthcare needs.
The State Immunization Officer, ASPHCDA, Mrs Edith Onwuka who was on a supervisory visit as regarding the health outreach, urged members of the communities to aid spread news of the outreach for other people to be aware and partake in it.
"The essence of the programme is for the good health of children especially those below five years of age, pregnant/nursing mothers and the elderly.
While noting that Immunization and health check-up was a necessity for healthy living, Mrs Onwuka explained that the essence of their visit was to ensure that things were moving effectively.
The State Health Educator, ASPHCDA, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina while stressing on the need and importance of immunization especially for children under five years of age said that it could protect them from harmful diseases that could cause them harm and endanger their future.
She educated the people on the various vaccines, the stage which it was given in a child's life and the disease it prevents. Vaccines such as; BCG, Hepatitis B, Penta, PCV, Rota, IPV, Measles, Meningitis, Yellow Fever and Vitamin A supplementation.
Mrs Onwuegbuzina explained that the prevention of a disease was better than the cure which was why the state government and UNICEF were working together in ensuring that the health consequences of flood was reduced to the barest minimum.
``This is also because we do not want any of our children to suffer from outbreak of any disease," she added.
The Officer-In-Charge (OIC), Umuoba-Anam PHC, Mrs Patience Okoye noted that the programme which recently commenced again on March 15 has been of great aid to the people and a success in their vicinity.
``We also recently commenced a five day Immunization Outreach which we have combined with the UNICEF Supported health Outreach programme all geared at improving the health status of the people.
``The community members have been turning up for the programmes as they have been well informed about it from the Town Announcers; also announcements were made in churches, schools, markets and there have been great turn up," she said.
The Ward Development Committee (WDC) Chairman, Umuoba-Anam PHC, Mr Edwin Izuoba Anaekwe commended the state government and UNICEF for coming to their aid in ensuring that the health effects suffered from the 2022 flooding in their communities was shortlived.
He pleaded for them to look into the issue of the facility's Solar Direct Drive (SDD) for storing of vaccines which had become non-functional as a result of the flood, stressing on the need of an additional solar system to aid power supply in the facility.
An elderly, Mrs Felicia Alasili who was an indigene of Umuoba-Anam and a beneficiary of the health outreach thanked the state government and UNICEF for the intervention.
Mrs Alasili while noting that she had been unwell said that the free medical check-up and treatment given to her gladdened her heart, praying for the team to come more often and regularly.
A nursing mother, Mrs Ijeoma Nwalioba and a pregnant mother, Mrs Josephine Ekirika both beneficiaries of the UNICEF Supported health outreach commended the government and supporting partners for the free intervention and pluses given to them.
They both urged other members of the communities to take advantage of the free consultation and treatment/drugs given at no cost and ensure that they were hail and healthy.
The State Supervisory team also visited Anambra West and Idemili North LGAs respectively to ensure that the programme was well carried out. (MOI)
More photos below.
Comments
Post a Comment