The Youth on Ground Progressive and Mentorship Initiative has conducted a medical outreach for more than 400 residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The initiative said the gesture was put in place to reduce the prevalence of malaria and typhoid through testing, treatment and awareness creation.
The Founder and National Coordinator of the initiative, Dr Obioma Nwuba, said during the outreach on Friday in Abuja that the programme was part of the group’s commitment to community service and humanitarian support.
Nwuba said the initiative was focused on raising leaders who show empathy and care for the well-being of communities.
“One of the ways of nurturing leaders with empathy and concern for the community is by engaging in community service.
“We are interested in healthcare and ensuring that the environment is clean, in addition to other things. So that is the reason why we’re doing this exercise today.
“We chose malaria and typhoid because they are common health challenges in the environment and many people move around with these ailments without getting proper treatment,” he said.
He noted that the turnout of residents for the outreach indicated the need for more community-based healthcare services.
According to him, bringing primary healthcare services closer to the people helps them access essential medical care more easily.
Nwuba added that the outreach would be extended to other parts of the FCT, including Bwari, Kuje and Kwali Area Councils.
“The intention is to create that awareness that you need to always take care of your health, because malaria and typhoid are treatable diseases.
“If you have the parasite, then you get treated. If you don’t have the parasite, we educate you on ways of preventing the diseases,” he said.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the initiative’s FCT chapter, Mr Habibs Mohammed, described malaria and typhoid as major health concerns in many communities.
He said the outreach also included blood pressure checks and medical advice for participants.
“We are not only conducting malaria and typhoid tests, but also checking blood pressure because we have seen cases of people collapsing due to undiagnosed health issues”.
He said the outreach was organised to conduct tests for residents and provide professional advice based on the results, adding that a doctor was present to offer free treatment during the exercise.
“Also, we give free treatment and free result checking and all that. So the drugs giving to people here is free? Yes, absolutely free,” Mohammed said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Joseph Anzaku, Head of Gallery, FCT Department for Arts and Culture, commended the initiative for bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
Anzaku said that many people faced financial challenges in accessing hospital treatment, adding that the outreach had provided relief to many residents.
“In this outreach, they will test you and give you free drugs. I really have a strong relief. You know, kindness is another way of healing,” he said.
