A delegation from the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), on Tuesday, met with the Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government Area,Edidem Etim Charles D. Abia, in preparation for the launch of the RHCC programme aimed at combating malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia amongst children from 0 to 5years in Akwa Ibom State.
The delegation, led by the Country Lead, Dr. Dele Balogun, also met with the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong III, and his counterpart in Ikono, Edidem Etim Nnana Itang where they discussed ways to disseminate information about the programme and the activities of the participating health workers.
During the meetings, Dr. Balogun explained that the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge is a three-year initiative by Rotary International and its implementing partners, PATH focusing on the three leading causes of death among children under five in Nigeria: malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
According to him, the project, which is being funded by the Rotary Foundation and supported by the Gates Foundation, collaborates with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the governments of Akwa Ibom and Kebbi States, and local communities.
Dr. Balogun said participants from the selected communities have been trained to manage malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia in six wards from the selected local government areas with the highest prevalence of the diseases.
He assured that testing and treatment would be free, with severe cases referred to primary health facilities or general hospitals.
"We are here to ensure that children under five do not die from diseases that are easily diagnosed and treatable," Dr. Balogun stated.
"We will be going door-to-door, educating households on how to prevent malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. These diseases should not claim the lives of our children any longer.
“We hope that within three years, our success will encourage the government and the Rotary Foundation to extend this project to other local government areas in Akwa Ibom State."
He added, "Rotary has successfully tackled polio, and the achievements in that area inspire us to undertake this bigger project. Our success here could lead the federal and state governments, along with more donors, to expand this initiative to other parts of the country."
In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem Etim Charles D. Abia, expressed his full support for the program, recognising its potential to effectively combat malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
Abia thanked Rotary International for selecting Akwa Ibom as one of only two states in Nigeria to benefit from the initiative and for including his community in the programme.
In their responses, the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong III, and his counterpart in Ikono, Edidem Etim Nnana Itang, pledged their commitment to the RHCC initiative and promised to effectively educate community members in preparation for the programme's commencement in September.
The RHCC delegation also included Past District Governors of Rotary International District 9142, Sam Uko and Akan Emah, other past District Governors Elvis Chukwu, Ify Ejezie, District Governor Nominee Segun Tijani, Rotarians Ekemini Ukim; the President of the Rotary Club of Uyo Diamond and Joel Archibong, among others.
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