5,000 Flood Victims to Benefit from UNICEF Free Medical Outreach in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has commenced a 3-month free medical healthcare outreach for flood victims in Anambra State.

State Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Dr. Obianuju Okoye who disclosed this to reporters in Onitsha on Wednesday, said no fewer than 5000 persons were being targeted from the outreach.

She said a total of 560 healthcare workers has been trained on modified life saving skills for the exercise which would be carried out in ten Local Government Areas affected by the surge.

She named the LGAs as Anambra East and West, Onitsha North and South, Awka North, Anyamelum, Idemili North, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo and Ihiala.

According to Okoye, the project was fully sponsored by UNICEF after the Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo visited Internally Displaced camps in company of Health Commissioner, Dr. Afam Obidike.

She said, “We have 21 health facilities we’re using as hub from where we distribute to various wards where the flood impact was much.

“The 560 health workers include the first 110 two days residentials and 45 workers in each LGA made up of reproductive health supervisors, social mobilization and logistics management officers, among other health workers.

“UNICEF also provided 300 mama kits for distribution to pregnant women ahead of delivery in the various health facilities. 

“We attended to about 30 patients yesterday, including soldiers, though we started a bit late as a result of logistics. But we’ve already treated 14 patients this morning.”

While highlighting prevalent diseases in the area to include peptic alcer disease, malaria paracites, pains, hypertension, diabetes, among others, Okoye disclosed plans to extend the outreach to correctional facilities, after due processes were completed.

She appreciated UNICEF for its sustained intervention as well as state government, particularly Governor’s wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo and Health Commissioner, Afam Obidike for providing manpower towards the success of the project.

One of the beneficiaries, Chukwuemeka Okafor said he was at the Primary Healthcare center following series of pains he suffered while the flood lasted, just as he thanked UNICEF for offering the free services.