Efa Sunday
Second Chance Initiative (SCI), a nonprofit organisation in Calabar has carried out free medical outreach at Akpene Tete Community of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State.
The free medical outreach which was at the Apostolic Church Akpene Tete, include cervical cancer screening, HIV testing and counseling, Malaria screening and treatment and distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Other services delivered were free eye care check up, distribution of reading glasses, cleft lip and palate surgery, menstrual hygiene management talk and sanitary pad distribution, deworming of children and Vitamin A administration.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the NGO, Ms. Lilian Oyama, said: “The outreach is part of our community based health care outreach and response to the yearnings of Akpene Tete people.”
Ms. Oyama also stated that “Mortality rate is on the increase by the day in rural communities, and majority of the cause of death is avoidable, treatable or manageable, if discovered early.”
She therefore expressed gratitude to members of the community for turning out in their numbers to attend to their health, while promising that the outreach will not be a one off project.
On her part, a Community Physician Dr. Oluranti Ekpo who was visibly happy about the massive turn out from the community clamoured for more collaboration amongst NGOs, as she opined that “More results are achieved when NGOs work together than when they go out one-by-one.”
On his part Dr. Bong Duke, Pastor of the host Church, said he is glad that the outreach has been able to achieve two things; “help improve the living standard of the people and also helped to create more awareness.”
Speaking with Dr. Leo Muoneke and Dr. Davis Izekor, some volunteer Doctors at the event, they appreciated the turn out as well and advocated for more sustainable community based medical outreaches amongst other NGOs.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to our reporter expressed gratitude to the organizers of the outreach.
Some other organizations that partnered Second Chance Initiative include; Cancer Intervention Organization, Voice of Children Foundation, Bencare Foundation, Rotary Club, Uwayen Events and Bridals, Made Studio, Cross River State Primary Health Care Centre, CrossRiverWatch and the host Community.
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