By Ifeizu Joe
A non-governmental organization (NGO), Youth on Ground Progressive and Mentorship Initiative (YOG) has decried the prevalence of Malaria and typhoid fever among Nigerians, especially at this season of the year, calling on citizens to guard against it.
The Founder and National Coordinator of the group, Dr Obioma Nwuba, who spoke to journalists at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a free medical outreach organized by the group described the twin diseases of malaria and typhoid as silent killers that need to be taken seriously and tackled once symptoms appear.
The group said even though its focus for organizing the medical outreach was the eradication of malaria and typhoid, through free diagnosis and treatment, it also partnered with Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and Knowledge Network for Disease Control and Vigilance (KNCV) to provide diagnosis, counselling and treatment for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
Nwuba while speaking with journalists said the group decided to engage in the outreach to ensure wellness among rural women and youth, with the aim of bringing healthcare services down to the grassroots, especially for those who can not ordinarily afford them.
He said: “You see the huge number of people we have here today. Most of these people are primarily here because of malaria and typhoid, and some have had it for weeks and months and because of financial constraints, they have been unable to treat themselves. So they suffer in silence.
“I urge other organizations to join us in conducting free medical outreaches, especially in the area of malaria and typhoid. This period is the time when the disease is very prevalent, because of the weather and the rainfall. It is a silent killer, so don’t see it as ordinary malaria and typhoid.
“There is no country that was built by the government alone, most of the big ideas were nurtured and driven by the private sector. Organisations needs to sit up and complement the activities of the government. The president has set up the Renewed Hope Agenda and what organizations need to do is to key in and help government achieve their goal.
“You can see that the people are happy, they are getting screened for various diseases and also provided with drugs.”
The state coordinator of the YOG, Hon Azubuike Okafor stated that the two day program targets 2,000 patients and would also be extended to other parts of the country.
“We had the first one in Abuja and we are here now in Anambra State. From here we are moving to Edo State and later Kaduna too and we will keep extending it as our capacity can carry,” he said.
