By: Eneji Simon Ushie.
It was a memorable day for the residents of Ikot Omin, Calabar Municipal Council Area of Cross River State as over 400 people including children received free medical services courtesy of the Cross River State Government and Vifadad medical mission.
The medical Outreach which was sponsored by VifaDad Medical mission and Pretty easy Opulence with supports from the Cross River State Government offered services ranging from Optometric, medical and laboratory services including blood and sugar check, screening for HIV/AIDs, Hepatitis and other common diseases.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong revealed that the state government will continually Encourage partnership with both private and cooperate bodies to meet the health needs of the 70% of rural dwellers in across the state.
She encouraged them to regularly visit health facilities to meet their health needs while also notifying them of government’s commitment to reduce rate of preventable deaths especially as it concerns maternal and child mortality.
“It is a thing of joy today as we have some of our partners work with us to organize this free medical Outreach in Ikot Omin Community which dragged an encouraging number of people out to receive free medical care.
As a government, we are committed to ensure that the over 70% of the people who are expected to benefit from Primary Healthcare services are well cartered for and that is why we are collaborating with Vifadad medical mission and PrettyyEasy Opulence to bring health services to Ikot omin Community in Cross River State.
Our goal is to see that, no mother or child is lost during pregnancy or in child birth and that is why we are bent on regular sensitization for Pregnant women as we continually go out to raise awareness on the need to discourage the patronage of traditional birth attendants”.
She said the choice of Ikot Omin was as a result of its densed population and high clients patronage as she urged other Communities to follow suit in order to enjoy related medical outreaches.
On her part, Mrs. Beatrice Imaobong of Vifadad Medical Services, it was a thing of joy to support poor households and the vulnerables as it was a way of honouring their late father who all through his life, advocated for a disease free society .
She said, they found the Primary Healthcare Development Agency worthy in partnership through mobilizing clients into various facilities which became easier to reach their targeted population.
Mrs Rosemary Otudor who represented PrettyEasy Opulence said she is excited with the level of organization as she promised to partner the government as often as possible to improve the healthcare of rural dwellers as well as those who lack Resources to receive world class and quality healthcare.
Some of the beneficiaries said, they are thankful to the government and it’s partners for taking Healthcare to their doorsteps especially now that there is a pandemic which has claimed the lives of thousands across the globe as well as limited access to health Facilities.
High point of the outreach was the arrival of a baby delivered by one of the beneficiaries of the Outreach.
