29 November 2017
Friday the 24th would leave a lasting impression in the minds of the neglected people of Bakassi as The Junior Chamber International, Calabar Metro (JCI) partnered with the Mediatrix Development foundation (MDF) to bring smiles and comfort in a one-day medical outreach where they offered free medical care to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bakassi.
The outreach which was championed by the JCI and MDF witnessed a great turn out as youths, children and elders in the community came out en-mass to listen. Addressing the crowd, Arch Eric Akpo (the president of JCI, Calabar Metro) explained the purpose of the outreach which was aimed at sensitizing the people on Malaria, its eradication and prevention through obvious means such as using treated mosquito nets. This according to him is in line with the programs of the JCI which was founded in St Louis USA in 1910. The group was brought to Nigeria in 1957 and introduced in University of Calabar in 1984. With the aim of offering services to the public, advocating for a balance in communities and creating entrepreneurial opportunities for its members.
Speaking to the listening audience he advised them against using the nets which were distributed as window nets, fishing nets and gardening nets but urged them to sleep under it to avoid the contact of mosquitoes and Malaria. While adding that this outreach is also aimed at supporting the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals via campaigns against Malaria and medical outreaches.
The partnership with the MDF which is the project of the First Lady of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade is a clear evidence that the First lady has the people of Bakassi at heart explained the Director General of the MDF, Mr Adamade Jeffrey while stressing on the relevance of "prevention is better than cure" speaking passionately, he informed them that the first lady is particularly interested in bringing succour to rural areas and this was just one opportunity to express the unending love for the Bakassi people.
Other services rendered where Free Malaria testing, distribution of free insecticide treated nets and free Malaria drugs.
In response, the youth leader of the community commended the efforts of the NGOs and expressed the need for more sensitization on areas where they were more vulnerable.
Ukung Alawa
Writes from Bakassi
