Agnes Williams
The Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers Hill, led by the Club’s President, Engr. Adams Peter Oyarekhua, on Thursday launched a service project in Tatagiya community, focusing on maternal and child health, aimed to alleviate the plight of vulnerable women in the community by providing essential healthcare resources.
The Club President, Rotarian Adams said during the event, the club distributed delivery kits to pregnant women and mosquito nets to breastfeeding mothers, saying the Initially target was to give out 70 kits, the club ended up distributing almost 100, exceeding their expectations.
According to him, The delivery kits includes essential items such as clamps, mucous extractors, and phenolic acid, which are often required by hospitals before delivery.
He stated that earlier, "the club conducted a need assessment in the community, which informed the project's design. The community's chief welcomed the initiative and played a crucial role in facilitating the need assessment. The club plans to execute more projects in the community, focusing on the seven areas of focus of Rotary International".
"This is expected to have a significant impact on the community, particularly in reducing the cost of delivery and promoting healthy practices among pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Our club has outlined projects for the year, aiming to transform the Tatagiya community through dedicated service and community engagement".
The Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers Hill Foundation Chairman, Dr. Samuel Usman, said maternal mortality rates in Nigeria are alarmingly high. Women often die from preventable causes such as malaria, bleeding, and other pregnancy-related complications. Many breastfeeding mothers also lack knowledge on proper childcare and nutrition.
Dr. Usman emphasized the importance of community-based health insurance schemes to make healthcare accessible to all, regardless of financial status.
He urged government to provide seed support to traditional leaders, who could then distribute stipends to community members.
He highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, such as roads, to facilitate access to healthcare facilities, and the need for sustained efforts to improve healthcare in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities.
According to him, by working together, governments, organizations, and individuals can make a meaningful impact in reducing maternal mortality and promoting healthy families, he said.
Dr. Patrick Eze, District Chair for Medical Missions, Rotary District 9127, emphasized the importance of the sensitisation, highlighting that malaria is a major killer of women in pregnancy and a cause of intrauterine deaths.
He said, the club's efforts aim to reduce maternal mortality and promote healthy practices among women in the community.
The Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers Hill has also embarked on a project to renovate primary healthcare centers in the district, ensuring that women have access to functional healthcare facilities for safe delivery. This complements the distribution of delivery kits and mosquito nets, providing a comprehensive approach to maternal and child health.
The Tatagiya Village Chief, Solomon Danjoma expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers' Hill for their timely intervention in the community.
He noted that it has been a while since the community has received visits from government agencies or NGOs, making the club's effort particularly noteworthy. The chief appreciated the club's commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community's women and children, and acknowledged the positive impact of their initiative.
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