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Touching Grassroots Lives: Ex-NYSC Members Offering Better Sights and Oral Care

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Youths, with the growing trend of societal ills, particularly in grassroots communities, have been contributing their quota to the development of the country.

They have adopted the ideology of giving back to the society by organising and delivering free services to numerous communities in Abuja also.

Most recently, youths such as Dr Opara Uchenna and Dr Rofiah Okubadejo, would be remembered by communities for their developmental services and advocacy.

Opara is a young optometrist who reached a total of 332 people comprising of 181 children and 151 adults, by offering free eyes screening, medicated glasses, test and sensitization.

His community service project, tagged ” Vision First” was carried out at the Junior Secondary School, Galadimawa, Government Secondary School, Area 1 and Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp, Area 1 in Abuja.

Similarly, Dr Rofiah is a dentist at her prime with a medical inclusive service project which impacted the lives of 100 visually impaired pupils in FCT School for the blind, Jabi.

Speaking about himself and the factors that inspired his service to the communities, Opara said that his background fueled the passion to proffer solutions to daunting societal challenges.

“I watched a lot of kids lose their eyesight due to late detection of visual/health challenges as their parents where ignorant or could not afford proper treatment.

” The Inadequacy and accessibility to the health system of the country especially to those that cannot afford it has greatly brought about a whole lot of problems and challenges in the society.

” The desire to serve humanity and make an impact to help solve this particular challenge in my society inspired not just my service but my profession.

” This led to the birth of my Vision First project with the objectives of promoting good health and wellbeing for children in schools and the vulnerable in the society such as internally displaced persons.

“People have been properly informed on how to promote good health amongst themselves and their environment through sensitization on general/health practices and rendering of free medical services,” he said.

Opara said he encountered a number of challenges in the course of the project due to largely to low finances and sponsorship.

“Challenges were more in terms of finances as some essential items had to be scraped from the budget. I would have done better to impact in the lives of people and the society at large.

“Getting access to funds for community service project is a tedious affair. This makes it difficult for youths to initiate projects that are urgently needed in the community.

“My project was a reality because of material and cash donations from Sight Haven Eye Clinic, Absolute Vision Eye Centre, Nigerian Optometric Association – FCT Chapter, Ministry of Defence – Ship house and friends.”

He, however, enjoined youths to dive into community service and keep impacting people’s lives and the society at large through any small project.

“As youths, we are evolved beyond asking what the country can do for us. Our focus rest on what we can do for our community especially with the increase of societal ills.

“Every country has their own achievements and challenges, our leaders are doing their very best to bring about positive change and good health system, but the government cannot do it alone.

” It is a thing of joy to lay up legacy for upcoming generations so they too can learn to be better. Someday, we all would sit back and be proud of the society we built,” he said.

Dr Rofiah Okubadejo, a dentist with community project on medical inclusion, said that community service charts a pathway for youths interested in changing the status quo of their society.

“I have had a deep-seated concern for the visually impaired who found it difficult to access proper dental health in my environment. Community service was a way to effect change to that challenge.

“The country is going through tough times and I can only imagine it is worse for people living with disabilities and for their care takers as well. For this reason, people tend to focus more on survival than health.

“For many countries including Nigeria where youths constitute major percentage of the population, it is important that youths contribute their quota to make the society a better place,” she said.

She added that the one year leadership training during her youth service, culminated into the passion she has for developmental services.

Rofiah said that funding as a challenge to community service should not hinder the youths from advocating for change.

“Accessing funds was definitely a challenge but I couldn’t let that hinder my focus. I believed if I could impact into some members of my community, they would in turn reach out to others, spreading the effect of service.

“I was taught to identify the topmost needs in my community and solve it. If I can’t solve it, at least I can advocate through several medium until change is effected.”

She called on private and public organisations to invest in youths who dedicate time to community service projects.

” A lot of youths have innovative ideas that can make the country a better place but without the right support such project will not see the light of day.

” Private and public organisations should support youth initiated service project of their host communities. This is how we can grow together and lift the nation high.

“Youths should look around and attract attention to the needs of their community and be intentional enough to provide services to them. Let that be your driving force,” she said

One of the beneficiaries of the community service project, Mr Isa Farouq expressed gratitude to the youths for a life-changing experience.

” I have never had a medical visual screening. I was amazed to receive medicated glasses after the screening without paying a dime, it was an amazing experience.

” Youths really can make a difference in their various communities through actions that support societal growth,” he said.

Miss Tarama Eloghene, a beneficiary of the free dental service, also the initiator of the service and called on more youths to stimulate development in their communities.(NAN)

Health

Mental Illness: Kebbi Gov’t. Offers Free Treatment to 23,542 Patients

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The Kebbi Government says it offered free treatment to 23,542 patients with mental illness
at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach from 2023 till date in the state.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, made this known at the weekly ministerial press
briefing organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Culture.

He said “the ministry intervenes in cases of mental health and other social challenges.

“Between May 2023 and now, 23,542 patients with mental illness cases received treatment and medications at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach in Birnin Kebbi.

On regulation of the conduct of Almajiris, Sani-Aliyu disclosed that a unit had been established to carry out a demography of Islamiyya and Almajiri schools in the state.

He added that the aim is to identify age and number of pupils, their various origins, parents and their living conditions for appropriate actions.

He added that “over 1,500 cases have been handled by the state Hisbah under the Shari’a Department of the ministry to usher peace, tranquility and brotherhood in our society.”

On partnerships, the commissioner said that the ministry facilitated the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and Qatar Foundation.

This, he said, would result to the construction of over 200 boreholes and other social amenities for the teeming populace.

“Furthermore, the ministry will establish linkage with the Indonesian Embassy on possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, socio- cultural and education cooperation,” he said.

Sani-Aliyu said that the state government had liaised with the ministry to intervene in cushioning the effect of hardship faced by the people before, during and after Ramadan in the state.

“The areas we intervened are: Ramadan feeding at designated Mosques across the state, targeting 11,400 persons per day and the vulnerable groups Ramadan intervention for girls’ schools and women groups in centres across the state by Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris, targeting 1,700 families.

“Others are the joint house to house Ramadan packages in Birnin Kebbi and women groups at designated centres in three emirate headquarters outside Birnin Kebbi, targetting
14,000 families, among others.”

The commissioner commended Gov. Nasir Idris for the idea to use religion to reduce moral decadence, youth waywardness, vices and crimes through moral education and counselling in liaison with relevant government agencies.  (NAN)

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Tuberculosis Claims 1,869 Lives in Kwara in 2023–Commissioner

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Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, has submitted that in 2023, Tuberculosis claimed about 1,869 lives in Kwara.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with symptoms such as persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness

El-Imam, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explained that the disease continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.

She stressed the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring that patients receive anti-TB drugs.

“It is only when all active cases are treated that we can break the chain of transmission of Tuberculosis.

“The Kwara State Ministry of Health remains committed to finding cases of Tuberculosis wherever they may be.

“We are intensifying community sensitization and active case search using our well-established structures of community informants, surveillance officers, and community TB/HIV workers,” she affirmed.

El-Imam highlighted the Kwara Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.

She acknowledged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for Tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Opeloyeru, the Director-General of Ajike People’s Support Center, reiterated government’s commitment to eliminate tuberculosis and promote a healthy Kwara.

Abdulrazaq urged all Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.

Also, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, the Director of Public Health, emphasized the importance of citizens supporting the various healthcare efforts of the present administration to help reduce TB spread, echoing this year’s theme.

Reports says that highlight of the 2024 World TB Day includes an outreach to Mandate Market, Ilorin, where people were tested for Tuberculosis free of charge. (NAN)

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2024 WTBD: WHO Raises Alarm Over 2.5m People Infected in 2022

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The World Health Organization, WHO, has raised alarm over 2.5 million people that were infected with Tuberculosis, TB in Africa in 2022.

In a statement issued by WHO, to commemorate 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, WTBD, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in the statement said 

In 2022, there was a 20% increase was recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

She lamented that TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. 

The statement reads, “Since then, a 20% increase has been recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

This signifies a positive step, indicating a more practical approach to recognizing TB in children and a decisive push to end this ancient disease.

According to Dr. Moeti, “Today, we reflect on our progress while recognizing the challenges in our efforts to eliminate it as a public health threat. 

“TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. According to the latest report, about 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in 2022 in the region, equating to one person every 13 seconds. 

“Additionally, the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute—even when TB is preventable and treatable. These figures underscore the urgency of our collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlight the need for sustained efforts to end it.

“WHO African Region supports our member states’ fight against TB in Africa by setting strategic directions, developing monitoring tools, like the African TB scorecard with the African Union, and ensuring progress towards the End TB Strategy. 

‘Our Organization is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods. We support countries by updating TB treatment guidelines to reflect the latest practices and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools. Emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, the WHO African Region encourages knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts across countries, significantly advancing the mission to eliminate TB as a public health threat in Africa.

“In the WHO African Region, we celebrate another milestone: diagnosing 70% of TB patients, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and propelling us closer to our goal. This achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of our Member States and partners, showcasing what can be accomplished through a shared vision and concerted action.

“Between 2015 and 2022, our region achieved a remarkable 38% reduction in TB deaths, surpassing the initial End TB Strategy milestone of 35% by 2020. From 2015 to 2022, the region also saw a 23% reduction in new TB cases, exceeding the initial End TB Strategy target of 20% by 2020. All this underscores the effectiveness of implemented strategies and renewed commitment from countries.

“However, while the reduction in TB deaths is commendable, it still falls short of the 2025 End TB Strategy target of a 75% reduction. Similarly, the 23% decline in TB incidence misses the mark of the 50% reduction target for 2025. This highlights the need for continued and intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals”.

She decried, the “Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to new tools and technologies, and the ongoing threat of multi-drug resistant TB require continued vigilance and sustained efforts”.  

She therefore tasked stakeholder to join WHO in providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships. 

“Through this unified action, we can address the challenges of TB in Africa and achieve our goal of its elimination as a public health threat.

“I urge all our Member States to prioritize a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the disease while bolstering our efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

“I urge health leaders to intensify their commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and scaling up innovative interventions. 

“Investing in research and developing new tools, including vaccines and improved diagnostics, is essential to accelerate progress. 

“Furthermore, countries must prioritize addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to healthcare, to achieve sustainable outcomes. Collaboration across sectors and borders is paramount. 

“I firmly commit to supporting all our Member States and partners with unwavering determination for a world free of TB. Set”, she said.

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