An NGO, Najay Care Foundation,on Saturday conducted a free medical outreach for more than 500 residents of Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
The outreach provided medical consultation, blood pressure screening, blood sugar testing, genotype testing and counselling, hepatitis B and C screening.
Other free medical services provided during the outreach were eye screening, free reading glasses, dental care, deworming and general health education.
Speaking, the founder of the NGO, Mrs Sa’adatu Tatah, said that the gesture was inspired by personal experiences and the desire to promote healthy population across Plateau and beyond.
She added that her foundation is partnering other stakeholders towards strengthening healthcare awareness and ensuring improved well-being of vulnerable persons through sustainable interventions.
Tatah also said that the initiative would support persons living with sickle cell, blood-related issues and other health challenges through awareness, advocacy, sensitisation and community interventions.
In a keynote address, Prof. Ishaya Pam, the former Chief Medical Director, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), described awareness as critical towards addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.
Pam insisted that awareness and early intervention remained vital in preventing sickle cell, hepatitis, hypertension, diabetes and other preventable health conditions.
According to him, about one in four Nigerians carry the sickle cell trait, while between four and six million people in the world live with the condition.
“Sickle cell disease is no longer a death sentence; improved care and emerging treatments has offered renewed hope to affected persons,”he said.
Pam, however, urged stronger collaboration among communities, primary healthcare providers and tertiary institutions towards improving disease prevention and healthcare promotion.
Speaking, Dr. Olaniyi Taiwo, the Director of the Inter-country Centre for Oral Health (ICOH), said that his organisation had been partnering with the foundation to improve community healthcare.
Taiwo, represented by Dr. Ukachi Nnawuihe, the Head of Public Health of ICOH, said that the collaboration aligned with its mandate of community service, research and public health promotion.
Taiwo expressed its commitment to sustaining the partnership to improving the health and quality of life of Nigerians.
Mrs. Martha Millad, the Director of Primary Healthcare, Jos North LGA, commended the foundation for complementing government’s efforts on providing quality healthcare.
Millad who urged intending couple to know their genotype before marriage, tasked Plateau residents on regular medical checks.
A beneficiary of the outreach, Donnie Simon, thanked the foundation for the gesture and urged other groups and spirit individuals to do same.
