A project manager of an NGO Human Reproductive and Child Health Action Center HUREHAC, Dr. Ezeama Ndukwu in collaboration with Ndukwu Hospitals has carried out a sensitization program on Covid-19 and free medical treatment in the two local government areas of Imo state.

The program was part of efforts to support the government on the fight against the outbreak of novel corona virus in the communities and proper ways to maintain personal hygiene through washing of hands and keeping social distancing.

Correspondent reports that the program also provided an avenue for question and answer session.

The sensitization program aimed at educating the rural dwellers on the need to protect themselves against the deadly corona virus and Lassa fever was carried out in Amaifeke community in Orlu and Umunam Atta in Njaba Local Government Areas of Imo state.

A nurse educator from our lady hospital Ihiala Mr.. Chibueze Obiyo who lectured on Corona virus disease, the symptoms, mode of spread and best ways to wash hands said covid-19 is linked to the same family of viruses as severe acute respiratory syndrome and some common cold.

Mr. Chibueze explained that most infected people developed mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization with common symptoms like fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache and loss of taste and smell while the severe symptoms, incudes difficulty breathing, chest pain and loss of speech.

He said the virus could be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person through coughing, sneezing and touching of contaminated surfaces but called on people to get tested to avoid mistaken it with malaria symptoms.

Another health practitioner Mrs. Adaobi Anyanwu advised people to maintain good hygiene by covering their food materials in a container and get rid of rats at home to avoid contacting Lassa fever.

A program officer on global fund for HIV and Association for Reproductive and Family Health Imo state Mr. Richard Nwamadi says the association with his counterpart from Italy Reverenced Sister Agnes Nwosu also donated kits for HIV testing and more drugs.

Earlier the Coordinator of the program Dr. Ezeama Ndukwu stressed that the program was born out of desire to alleviate the sufferings of rural dwellers by educating them, as well as provide them with free drugs and hand sanitizers.
According to her, Ndukwu Hospital had been at fore front of providing medical services to make people understand clearly any endemic or pandemic diseases around them.

Dr. Ndukwu pointed out that treatment including screening of malaria, typhoid fever, blood sugar, high blood pressure, HIV test among others were conducted.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to Radio Nigeria thanked the management and staff of Ndukwu Hospital for giving them palliative in the form of drugs and lessons

The highlights of the event were demonstrations on proper ways of washing hands, how to sneeze, handling of face masks and refreshment.
CHUKWUKA AGUKWE