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In response to the ongoing threat of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea diseases affecting children under five in Nigeria, Rotary International has pledged to enhance its contributions to the overall Child Health and Disease Prevention programme by providing additional support to children in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
On Thursday, August 28th, Mr. Adeyemi Oladokun led a delegation from the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC) to the residence of His Royal Majesty, Edidem Manasseh Akpan (JP), the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom.
Along with other members, Oladokun briefed the traditional leaders about the proposed free health outreach for children under the age of 5, sponsored by Rotary International.
At the meetings, Oladokun explained that the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge is a three-year initiative by Rotary International and its implementing partners, PATH. This initiative focuses on the three leading causes of death among children under five in Nigeria: malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
According to him, they were at the palace to seek a partnership and discuss ways to disseminate information about the program and the activities of the participating health workers.
In his words, “We are here to seek your approval to work in your communities. We want this information to be shared throughout your communities so that these three deadly diseases can be reduced to a minimum. Without your support, we cannot achieve this.”
Oladokun noted that the rainy season often leads to a resurgence of mosquitoes, which are key agents of malaria and related diseases. However, he expressed confidence that RHCC’s intervention would help control these illnesses.
Mrs. Ify Ejezie, a member of the team, assured that participants from the selected communities have been trained to manage malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia in six wards of Nsit Ibom, which has the highest prevalence of these diseases.
She further stated that testing and treatment would be free, with severe cases referred to primary health facilities or general hospitals, as individuals would not be required to make any financial commitment to receive benefits.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom, Edidem Manasseh Akpan, who was represented by the Chairman of the Nsit Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, Eteidung Udeme Nna, expressed his full support for the program, recognizing its potential to effectively combat malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
Edidem Manasseh and the other royal fathers thanked Rotary International for selecting them as one of the beneficiaries in the pilot phase.
“I want to assure you of our full support at any time; we will support your initiative to ensure that our communities receive the necessary medical aid to improve their health,” he said.
The RHCC delegation visited the local government council headquarters in Afaha Offiong to advocate with members of the host community.
During the address, Mr. Akan Emah and Festus Adetonwa urged all community representatives to be fully prepared for the upcoming initiative launch, emphasizing that health workers are well-equipped to provide life-saving services to community members.
They highlighted that by empowering community health workers and enhancing local healthcare systems, the initiative aims to significantly decrease preventable deaths from malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
Mrs. Ini Oruk, Director of the Primary Health Centre in Nsit Ibom, also spoke, encouraging mothers to take the campaign seriously and prepare for the initiative to mitigate the impact of these deadly diseases. She assured the RHCC and its partners of their commitment to the initiative, noting its potential to greatly reduce maternal mortality in their communities.
Among those present at the advocacy event were Elvis Chukwu, Ekemini Ukim, a representative from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and other community leaders.
