PREAMBLE
As a follow-up, the Free Medical Outreach was carried out from 10th to 15th of May, 2023 for medical care, fumigation, sanitary items and installation of mobile toilets.
PROJECT
The medical intervention was carried out from 10th to 15th of May, 2023. There was a large turnout of patients and IDPs at the Free Medical Outreach and over 2,000 outpatients accessed medical care.
Respite cam e their way through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) intervention, in partnership with RAHI Medicals Outreach to provide Free Medical Care including fumigation of buildings and drainages and the people received medical care for minor disease conditions and infections.
Outpatients including men, women, children and the aged with varied health complaints took advantage of the free medical outreach to seek medical attention. Out-patient details were taken at the medical records unit. There were also body check for vital signs and rapid laboratory investigations made. The consulting Doctors prescribed requisite drugs in line with complaints presented while the pharmacy unit dispensed drugs to the outpatients based on prescription.
Beneficiaries were very appreciative to NDDC and RAHI Medical Outreach for attending to their healthcare needs occasioned by the natural disaster.
OBJECTIVES OF THE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
- To screen and diagnose members of the community on common ailments like plasmodiasis, enteric fever, peptic ulcer disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disease, gastroenteritis, minor Abrasions, etc.
- Provide free medications and treatment to all identified cases.
- Drugs donated to the primary health centre for sustainability and follow-up.
- Educate members of the community to create awareness on critical health areas especially diabetes, hypertension, etc.
SUMMARY OF DATA FOR MEDICAL OUTREACH
SN
DESCRIPTION
QUANTITY
1.
Number of Outpatients Seen
Male: 784
Female: 812
Children: 965
Total Outpatients: 2,561
2.
Number of Diagnosis
≥ 2,000
3.
Number of Households Seen
700
IMPACT OF THE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
One major significant finding from the Free Medical outreach was the lack of awareness of signs and symptoms of diseases and the fact that many beneficiaries who had very High Blood Pressure or Blood Sugar readings were being tested for the first time.
CHALLENGES
- Underequipped primary health care centre.
- Unwillingness of healthcare workers to work in the littoral community.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Due to soil type and sanitary environment: Provision of portable drinking water and casting of prefabricated WC toilets with concrete septic tank designs that can be evacuated from time–to-time via high pressure suctions pumps will benefit the communities.
- New housing design models that allows for houses to be built with better strength above water level using beams and pillars can be undertaken and shared as prototype for residents.
- Need to equip the community’s Primary Health Care Centre to attend to the medical care needs of the residents.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the project, the members of Ayetoro community, impacted by the ocean surge were full of commendation and very happy with NDDC for the timely intervention, while pleading that industrial borehole be installed in the community.
In his response, the Oba of Ayetoro, Oba Micah Olaseni Ajeijo said he was pleased with the high numbers of outpatients who accessed healthcare within the period.
Finally, the resounding success achieved with this Free Medical Outreach adds to the growing body of evidence that, in order to ensure positive outcomes, affected communities need to be meaningfully and proactively involved. This is because they can collaborate with non-governmental organizations to provide innovative and effective solutions to tackle the devastating effect of disaster and emergencies especially in the Niger Delta region.
MEDICAL OUTREACH PHOTO GALLERY
