Anambra State is ranking 26th out of 36 states in Nigeria in level of prevalence of Human Immune deficiency Virus, HIV, Orient Daily reports.
This was disclosed by Dr Rock Amegor, a family physician and project facilitator for National Agency for Control of AIDS, NACA, during a recent free community medical outreach sponsored by Honourable Chukwuka Wilfred Onyema, member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives.
Dr Amegor while applauding the state’s status said that part of the essence of the medical outreach was to reduce HIV scourge in the state to the barest minimum, adding that a team of medical personnel have been put in place to, among other things provide HIV counseling and testing for members of Ogbaru Federal Constituency. He also disclosed that the medical outreach will be sustainable as the medical team would be carrying out routine health assessment visits to the communities after the outreach.
Orient Daily visited the three centres; St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko; Comprehensive Health Centre Atani; General Hospital, Ossomala, where the medical outreach, meant to last for three days, was happening simultaneously and observed that community members of all ages who came out in their numbers are first directed to a registration point where they register, then they go to the point where their vital signs are taken after which they are given free medications, spectacles, counseling as the case may be.
While people above the age of 40 get their blood pressure tested, pregnant women undergo urinalysis and routine de-worming is given to all children. The elderly who are prone to hypertension and the likes are spoken to about lifestyle modification. Those with eye problems get their eyes tested and free medicated spectacles were provided for those that have need for it.
Explaining the intent behind the medical outreach, Honourable Onyema during the flag off of the medical outreach, observed that people in rural areas do not go for proper medical checkups and therefore break down with various health problems which are usually wrongly diagnosed. This he lamented is the reason for the high mortality rate in the country saying that the medical outreach is one of the ways he seeks to help his people cultivate the habit of going for proper medical care.
In his words, “besides the HIV counseling and tests, there are kits for testing for hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure, and various drugs and spectacles to be distributed free to the people. The medical team also gives educational tips on the use of certain chemicals to purify their water.”
On this note, the honourable member frowned at the way the people drink water from the nearby River Niger in which is deposited dead bodies, and other pollutants, thereby exposing themselves to various water bourne diseases.
He said that part of what the team would achieve is to get a statistic of what disease is most prevalent in Ogbaru Federal constituency and ascertain if there is an impending epidemic so as to know what steps to take to salvage the situation.
Rt. Honourable Binta Bello, representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency of Gombe State and the Deputy Minority whip of the Federal House of Representatives, who was part of Hon. Onyema’s entourage said that she came along to see what her colleague was doing in his constituency and learn from it so as to replicate the same in her constituency when she goes back. Binta said she was impressed with the turn out of the people who came to check their health status, while observing that Hon. Onyema has genuine concern and care for his people.
Reiterating, another honourable member in the entourage , Honourable Sabo Garba representing Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency of Yobe State, said he had also come to “support his leader in the parliament and to learn from him.”
Dr James Anenih, deputy director of NACA, the agency providing technical support in the medical outreach, said that NACA is “taking advantage of the medical outreach to conduct voluntary counseling and testing of the people of Ogbaru federal constituency.” He encouraged the people to come out and test for their HIV status as knowing their status would be of benefit to them and the people around them. He disclosed that those who test positive to HIV/AIDS would be referred to the treatment centre near them, adding that while there is no medically validated cure for HIV, carriers can live normal lives as long as they stay on medication.
“It is important you know your status on time because if you start taking your medication on time, you will leave as long as possible, so come out and take advantage of this programme,” he said.
At Comprehensive Health Centre, Atani, where the main flag off ceremony held, Igwe Azuka Ngodi, Atani traditional ruler, expressed satisfaction and happiness with the way Honourable Onyema has consistently shown that he sincerely has the people of his constituency at heart.”
One of the beneficiaries of the medical care, Mrs Theresa Ononuju told the press that he had come to see the medical personnel concerning the ill health she was experiencing and had been tested and given some medications. She said that she was very happy with the experience appreciating her benefactor, Honourable Onyema and promising him her vote if he indicates interest in any political position in future.
Orient Daily reports that over 10,000 members of Ogbaru community came out to take part in the community medical outreach programme which was being implemented by Olive Community Development Initiative and NACA with physiotherapists, ophthalmologists, doctors, laboratory technicians attending to the people . https://orientdailynews.com.ng/health/anambra-hiv-rank-26th-nigeria/ cc lalasticlala cc mynd44 cc fynestboi cc Dominique |
