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By Emmanuel Sampson
The Rotary International Foundation has joined forces with Akwa Ibom State to improve healthcare access for children, particularly those under five years old.
On Wednesday, health sector stakeholders convened in Uyo for a consensus meeting and baseline assessment as part of the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC) project, which aims to improve child healthcare services.
According to the organisers, the initiative, co-funded by the Rotary International Foundation and the Bill Gates Foundation, focused on preventing malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea—three leading causes of mortality among children under five in Nigeria.
At the occasion, Mr. Chinedu Eqwuonwu, the Team Lead of PATH Group, the implementing partner for the RHCC Programme, explained that the project aligns with Nigeria’s Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) initiative under the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
“We’re not introducing anything new; instead, we’re supporting the Akwa Ibom State Government in improving access to primary healthcare, especially for underserved children in rural areas,”
Eqwuonwu stated that the initiative operates in six local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, training community-nominated health workers to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, thereby reducing the need for long hospital trips.
“If a child shows warning signs, these workers facilitate referrals to primary or secondary healthcare facilities. This means that instead of traveling far to health centers, services are available right in your community.
“Local health workers will provide these essential services to children, expanding access to those in underserved and hard-to-reach areas,” he added.
Rotarian Adeyemi Oladokun, a Past Rotary District Governor and representative of the Country Lead for RHCC, underscored the importance of collaboration and praised the state government for its commitment to child health.
“Rotary is dedicated to advocacy and strategic planning to ensure the success of this project. Our aim is to reduce preventable deaths among children under five,” he remarked.
Also speaking, Dr. Martin Akpan, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to healthcare advancement.
He highlighted the recent inauguration of a state-of-the-art health center in Ikot Ekwere, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and the establishment of the state’s oxygen plant as significant milestones. “With the Governor’s dedication, Akwa Ibom is leading in primary healthcare,” he stated.
Akpan expressed gratitude to Rotary International for selecting Akwa Ibom State for this vital intervention.
Dr. Eno Attah, Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency, also thanked Rotary for its ongoing support in disease control and prevention, promising that the state would collaborate with Rotary to reduce the mortality rate from these childhood diseases.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Dr. Abubakar Ahmed, representative of the National Malaria Eradication Programme, and Dr. Ukpong, Zonal Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
A Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9142, Mr Akan Emah, who is a member of the RHCC, was also present at the event.
