By Shadrach Okon
The Paramount Rulers of Onna Edidem Raymond Inyang and his counterpart in Oruk Anam L.G.A, Akuku J. J. Oboisi have both promised to mobilize their communities to support and take part in the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), aimed at tackling malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea among children under the age of 5 years in Akwa Ibom State.
The two royal fathers made their commitment towards the project when Dr. Dele Balogun led a delegation of rotarians and health practitioners from PATH– an implementing partner for the project–on a courtesy visits to their palaces.
Speaking during the visit, the Paramount Ruler of Onna Edidem Raymond Inyang described children as the adults of tomorrow who deserve good care. Edidem Inyang who was flanked by his wife Obonganwan Nwaowo Raymond Inyang and village heads of the benefiting communities promised to work with all the stakeholders in the communities to mobilize the parents and children to participate in the execise.
According to him, “The child of today, is the adult of tomorrow. I brought stakeholders to come and listen to the programme so that they can integrate this volunteers into their scheme. We are leaders in a community to keep the community healthy. I urge the community leaders that are here to spread the information. Don’t keep this information to yourself , share it to youths, children and parents.”
In Oruk Anam, the Paramount Ruler Akuku J. J. Oboisi appreciated Rotary Club for selecting Oruk Anam L.G.A as one of the benefiting Local Government Areas in the State and promised to give full support for PATH and the community volunteers to carry out the exercise.
Offering insights into the project, the RHCC Country Lead, Dr. Dele Balogun, explained that volunteers will be going from house to house to educate parents/caregivers on the killer dieases . He assured that the volunteers who will test the children under five years for malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea have received the requisite training to discharge their duties successfully.
Dr. Balogun added that children within the selected wards in the two local government Areas who are diagnosed of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea would be referred to the nearest health primary healthcare facility within the Local Government Area, where they would be treated free of charge.
“Each of the communities have presented volunteers.These volunteers will go from house to house teaching the people how not to get malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. We are going to strengthen primary healthcare facilities to handle cases that are referred to them for treatments. The testing and treatment for children that test positive would be treated free of charge. ”
He expressed optimism that with the support of the community leaders, Rotary Club will eradicate malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea in these communities as polio was eradicated in the country.
The RHCC delegation also included Past District Governors of Rotary International District 9142, Sam Uko and Akan Emah, other past District Governors Elvis Chukwu, Ify Ejezie, District Governor Nominee Segun Tijani, Rotarians Ekemini Ukim; the President of the Rotary Club of Uyo Diamond and Joel Archibong, among others.
