By Cecilia Ologunagba
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Queen Zara Foundation, is set to embark on ‘roll back hypertension’ campaign and provide free medical outreach to some residents in FCT to enhance their well-being.
The founder, Joyce Roberts said in Abuja that the outreach would focus on hypertension screening, support and treatment for the residents.
Roberts, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, said the foundation would host a free medical outreach on Saturday to create awareness on hypertension in Maitama Area of Abuja.
“Why is the focus on hypertension? It is because hypertension is a silent killer and many are ignorant of the risk factors.
“So, the medical outreach couldn’t have come at a better time with low awareness about hypertension and many deaths recorded in Nigeria as a result of High-blood pressure.
“Knowledge of blood pressure will help to reduce associated health threats. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) means when your blood pressure is consistently too high.
“This can pose a lot of health threats such as heart failure, vision loss, stroke, kidney disease, and even death,” she said.
According to her, there will be free medical treatment or support for those who would be found hypertensive during the outreach.
“We will have a raffle draw due to the limited resources available to select those that will be supported and treated.
“At the event, seasoned medical practitioners and volunteers will be available to attend to participants.
“Furthermore, free health consultations, tips, newsletters, drugs, medical kits and more will be distributed at the event.
“The outreach is also another opportunity for the non-profit organisation to give back to Nigerians,” she said.
She said that the foundation had carried out other activities in the country, such as election monitoring, women empowerment and distribution of rice palliatives during the COVID-19 lock down.
“This will be our first free medical outreach in FCT but not the first time we are having an outreach, we have also done outreaches on peaceful elections and election monitoring.
“Some selected states such as Rivers, FCT, Delta and Edo had benefited from our activities in the past.
“We should be hosting our activities once in a quarter but due to paucity of funds, we have not been able to do so but we hope to achieve that this time around.
“We are also planning to extend the outreach to more states in collaboration with more international donors, philanthropists, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians,’’ the founder said.
Roberts, however, called on well- meaning Nigerians, philanthropists, corporate organisations and those in diaspora to partner with the organisation to reach out to disadvantaged Nigerians in need of health services.
”Queen Zara Foundation for Human Resources Development, established in July, 2013, is a leading volunteer- driven organisation that provides and promotes health, peace and empowerment through education for Nigerians.
”We believe together we can give back through life- changing experiences; our mission is to focus on making the maximum positive efforts for our communities.
”Our mandate is to provide empowerment to the less privileged children, women and youths; our members and volunteers provide the momentum that helps us effect change,’’ she said.
Roberts, also advised Nigerians to keep fit by going for regular health checks and eat healthy traditional/local foods.
She said people should imbibe the habit of giving unconditionally.
NAN
