By Peoples’ Guide Reporters
In a way to improve public health services in the community, over 500 residents of Alike Ikwo community benefitted from a free medical outreach programme at Community Primary school Noyo Alike Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state .
The programme was organized by Alike Ikwo Youths Forum with the support from the office of the Coordinator, Ikwo East Development Centre, Appostle Emmanuel Mbam.
The outreach was part of the events organized to mark the grand finale of Alike Ikwo Youths week among other highlights of the celebration which include football tournament, cultural display, symposium, mentorship lecture and talent hunt.
The health segment of the programme tagged, “Free Community Health outreach”, delivered essential health care services to residents of the community with focus on vulnerable children and low income households.
Services provided included health education, nutrition screening, malaria screening and treatment, treatment of minor aliments and distribution of hygienic packs.
Speaking during the exercise, the National President, Alike Ikwo Youths Forum, Hon. Chinua Nwele said the intervention was part of the Forum’s commitment to improving access to quality health care for their communities.
Nwele maintained that the medical outreach was in line with the Forum’s corporate social responsibility which is to promote good health and improve the socio- economic wellbeing of vulnerable members of the communities.
“This is our community outreach and over 500 beneficiaries have been reached today. We organize this outreach because our goal is to ensure that children, especially those in the hinterland can live healthier lives and access quality healthcare”, he stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Obinna Nweke (Abundant Grace Electricals) commended the organizers of the event for taking the bold steps to educate the youths and urged them to shun use of hard drugs if they must live to their full potentials in life.
Chief Obinna called on parents and members of the society not to stop creating awareness among their children and youths on the dangers of drug abuse, adding that parents should monitor the youths closely to ensure that they do the right thing.
Also speaking, some of guests, including Chief Jacob Akam, Chief Kingsley Nwuruku, Chief Chibueze Nwokora, Chukwuma Nwokora, Mr. Peter Okeh, Barr Matthew Nwachukwu among others thanked the leadership of Alike Ikwo Youth Forum for the initiative of bringing health care services closer to the people and called on the youths to shun destructive tendencies that are inimical to their personal growth and development.
They urged them to stay away from untoward activities and prioritize engagements that add value to their lives and strengthen them to achieve their future dreams and aspirations .
In his keynote address, Prof. Agabus Nwuzor stressed on the need to acquire basic education before embarking on any trade or business, adding that education enlightens the mind and helps one to know and harness the opportunities at his disposal.
Some of the beneficiaries of the health outreach, Mrs Angelina Agbom, Caroline Nwite, Mr. Iteshi Emmanuel and Mr. Linus Agu, commended the initiative, saying the outreach gave them the opportunity to know their health status.
They also thanked the organisers for brining the services closer to them and at no cost.
In the words of Mrs. Angelina Agbom, “I have not gone for a routine check in a while. It is a good initiative that will make many people know their health status as most people wait to go to the hospital only when they start having symptoms”, she said.
In an interview, the Chairman of the summit planning committee, Comrade Israel Ekene Mbam, said the event is an annual programme of Alike Youth Forum aimed at giving back to the society, uniting the youths and advancing community development programmes and projects. He assured that subsequent years will witness more activities and called on well meaning individuals, groups and stakeholders to support the forum to achieve their set aims and objectives.
