Nelson A.Osuala [17 January 2017]
In line with his promise to ensure quality healthcare for all Cross riverians, Prof. Ben Ayade through the office of the State's commissioner for health (Dr Inyang Asibong) has led a team of the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross(NRC) to practically commence what is known as the Club Foot Project which is to ensure that a child, who is popularly known as the 'boy with the Club Foot' residing in Ekpeneki community in Odukpani LGA, receives proper medical treatment.
NHB garnered that the 2 year old, Anthony Peter is suffering from a medical condition called Talipes which is commonly known as "Club Foot".Prior to this time, His condition was misdiagnosed as Polio Myelitis.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong recently led the state Epidemiology team headed by Mrs. Patience Uke to conduct a sensitization exercise at the community and also to bring the child to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital where he is currently undergoing a correction process on the leg.
To quote Dr.Inyang:
"We have a lot of these types of communities, hard to reach communities, in Cross river state,"…
"I’m glad we’ve been able to experience firsthand what these communities are like and what it is to get here, to get access, to get health commodities to these communities."
"The child is suffering from a medical condition called Talipes which is commonly known as Club Foot. And there’s real hope because the child is still a baby, he’s barely two years old. At this point the bones are not fused meaning something can be done even right here in Cross River State.
The boy’s mother confirmed that her baby was vaccinated upon delivery in 2015, putting to rest further the Poliomyelitis rumor.
"It became necessary for the health team to come and take the child for treatment because of the need to improve the life of the little child given the lack of proper orientation in the community.
"We had to come ourselves to make sure the child is actually taken for treatment because the community has a difficult terrain and there’s a possibility of not taking the child for medical care if we don’t come ourselves" she said.
Source: LIB
Nelson A.Osuala
Is a Blogger & the Associate Editor of Negroidhaven.org
