Building Health Bridges

Some community health workers helping people to get treatment, in the absence of medical doctors in government hospitals

With doctors on strike nationwide, Rebecca Ejifoma, of Punch newapers writes about the efforts of a non-governmental organisation to bring quality medical services to the people

While public doctors refuse to go back to work and the virulent Ebola continues to make the headlines, some non-governmental organisations in the country have taken it upon themselves to bridge the gap between quality healthcare and the less privileged of society, by providing free check-ups and sensitisations at the grassroots level. One of such organisations is the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF).

At the just concluded health awareness campaign organised by DOAMF and Exxonmobil in Ikota community, a slum in Etiosa Local Government Area, there was free health services for children, youths and the aged numbering over a thousand. The residents responded enthusiastically in mass.

In all, eight medical doctors and other health specialists attended to participants. Also, the specialists took participants on eye screening, high blood pressure, de-worming of under-aged children and adults, as well as treatment for malaria and other common diseases.

The awareness campaign was tagged, ‘Healthy Living’ and was aimed at promoting healthy living in under-served communities.
Besides the free medical care, participants were educated on public hygiene and tips for healthy living, to reduce the prevalence of diseases in the area. There was a major coverage of children in the de-worming exercise, as over 300 under-aged children benefitted and also received gift items donated by Diamond Bank Plc and Chikki Foods Industries Limited.

According to the Programme Manager, DOAMF, Mrs. Clare Henshaw, most people, especially in the low-cost areas, consider appointment with a medical doctor a luxury. The ‘Healthy Living’ programme, she noted, was tailored to address this need by taking free medical exercise to the doorstep of such people.

Henshaw explained: “Such initiative will address the increasing health challenges among the less privileged families by tackling the root causes of various ailments rather than the symptoms.”

She also stated that although their aim was to reach 500 persons, “the massive turn out of over 1,000 indigenes is a glaring fact that people are in dire need of healthcare support, especially the less privileged and low income earners.”

In her words, the event revealed the lack of awareness among beneficiaries on the need for medical help, as they displayed ignorance on how to explain the symptoms of their ailment to medical personnel. She urged: “A lot of attention should, therefore, be focused on poor communities. The enhancement of community healthcare depends on the generosity of philanthropic contributions from corporate organisations and kind individuals, who continue to intervene for change.”

She was also grateful for the support of the programme’s sponsors. “Our appreciation to Exxon Mobil Producing, Viccipharm Ltd, Diamond Bank Plc., Eti-Osa LGA Medical Unit, New Height Pharma, Vita Health Limited, Metro Health Limited, Jawa Int’l Ltd and kind individual donors,” she said.

The Foundation disclosed that it has embarked on other health projects in the past, such as de-worming of over 575 under-five years old children at areas including Ipakodo and Ikorodu; community health programmes and nutritional support for 700 children in Ilaje community, as well as the provision of free medical treatment to children, youths and aged in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State.

According to her, DOAMF’s focus on primary healthcare stems from the belief that it is the bedrock of healthcare service in the nation, providing basic care to the grassroots. “Our Foundation renovated and equipped the Mowe Primary Healthcare Centre as well as the Amaimo Primary Healthcare Centre in Ogun and Imo States respectively.”

DOAM Foundation was established in 2006, in memory of 13 years old Daniel Ogechi Akujobi, who died from injuries he sustained in a fatal highway accident on his way back to school along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogun State Nigeria in 2005. He was the only son of his parents.

The Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of the education and health of less-privileged children and youths in the society. Since its establishment seven years ago, the Foundation has offered scholarship to a number of vulnerable but intelligent children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. It has also undertaken various life improving programs including de-worming of children, mentorship, educational, nutritional and psycho-social support to over 35,000 children and youths in the society.

It is engaged in the enhancement of primary healthcare centres in rural areas and supports in the building & equipping of Accident & Emergency Response Centres along major highways in the country to save the lives of accident and trauma victims.  The Foundation’s first Accident & Emergency Centre was built in partnership with Diamond Bank Plc., along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State.

One of the residents who benefitted from the programme, Eniafe Adesanya, said that most people in the community do not have access to the public and private health facilities in the area. He blamed this on lack of awareness by the people and called for more health campaigns targeted at the ordinary people.

Adesanya, who is also the Community Development Association Chairman, Ikota Housing Estate, explained: “The large turn-out at the event was a clear demonstration of the people’s desire for medical care. This is a worthy initiative and the organisers should continue the good work.”

“I pray that more NGOs and foundations will come up like DOAM to remember the less privileged, those who cannot afford the huge sum of money for medical care. When we see health workers come to us we are happy, because hospitals are not within reach and there are many community members with health challenges. The cost of the health centre is not as high as the private hospitals, but there are other challenges which have been made known to them. Let them equip them with manpower, essential drugs and facilities. I am praying that they quickly address these challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Medical Officer of Eti-Osa LGA, Dr Nurain Ayeola, lauded the initiative, adding that government alone cannot solve all the existing health problems of people in the state.

He described the exercise as a mini-health mission and that such exercise carried out in needy communities would benefit the poor. “One of the major factors militating against the usage of existing health facilities is poverty. When people don’t have the wherewithal to go to the hospitals, particularly when they have reasons to go there, organising free outreach, like this, will benefit a lot of people. If it is possible that we organise this every month, people will come out and it will benefit them,” he said.

Quote: When we see health workers come to us we are happy, because hospitals are not within reach and there are many community members with health challenges