THFO SERVICE IN PURSUIT OF IDPs HEALTH
The Harvest Family Outreach in Collaboration with Christian
Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) Kaduna State Chapter
carried out a free Medical Outreach at an Internally Displaced
Persons camp Unguwan Zawu, Gonin-gora, in Chikun Local
Government Area of Kaduna State as part of our programmes for
2022.
The programme which took place on 25th August 2022 was aimed at
improving health and encouraging healthy practice among members
of the camp and its environs. The Medical Outreach exercise
featured health consultation, Laboratory test, vital signs, and
consultations amongst others. A large number of people living in
Internally Displaced Persons camps have little or no access to
basic health services, particularly women and children.
For Unguwan Zawu IDP camp, an estimate of 1000 people has been
displaced from Rumana Gbagyi with no access to health services.
The predominant illness/needs in the camp range from typhoid,
malaria, skin-diseases (ring worm which is common with the
children at the camp) and services for pregnant women.
Prior to the outreach, a team of two doctors (CMDA) and THFO
Coordinator went to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) camp
at Unguwan Zawu to assess the camp and find out the predominant
illness/health challenge as well as the total number of persons
at the camp and the demographics in respect of male, female,
children, aged, pregnant women etcetera.
This was followed by mobilization and awareness to notify the
inhabitants of the camp as well as the community which resulted
to the large impressive turnout of Youth group, elderly men,
women children, pregnant women at the outreach. Over 800 people,
who came from far and near benefitted from the exercise.
The event was well attended by THFO partners; community leader
of Unguwan Bije, the host of the IDP camp was present as well as
a representative from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health under
the Malaria Elimination programme. Others partners at the
programme are, Calvary Ministries North West Zone (CAPRO)
Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF), Children
Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), Kaduna State Malaria Elimination
Programme (KMEP), Christian Medical and Dental Association(CMDA)
Kaduna State chapter, Primary Health Centre and the Joint Task
Force Gonin-gora.
The one -day medical outreach kicked off with a general address
on the routine of the outreach, brief Exhortation and a pep talk
on personal hygiene.
Other activities includes free consultation, vital signs,
checking of blood pressure, blood-sugar screening, quick-rapid
malaria test, weight check, temperature check, BMI general
checkup, and spiritual counseling. Free drugs were dispensed to
the beneficiaries based on their health condition and gave them
appropriate treatment and drugs. The medical intervention
offered screening and treatment for malaria, typhoid, ulcer,
urinary tract infections, hypertension, diabetes, skin disease,
Hepatitis B and pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID)
providing medical attention to participants by volunteers of christian medical association
Speaking on the outreach, the Director of THFO Musa Nimrod said: “The Harvest Family Outreach is established to assist vulnerable people with spiritual, physical and medical needs as a way of giving back to society”.
The medical team comprised of doctors, nurses, laboratory
scientists and pharmacists who offered free services to both
adults and children. The children had a bible class session, and
were taught the process of hand washing with practical
illustrations. About 300 children were dewormed at the outreach.
Speaking on the outreach, the Director of THFO Musa Nimrod said:
“The Harvest Family Outreach is established to assist vulnerable
people with spiritual, physical and medical needs as a way of
giving back to society”.
Most people have various challenges, including medical
challenges which they cannot meet. This is why we took it upon
ourselves as a Faith Based Organisation, to assist them with
what God has blessed us with. We do so regardless of religion,
tribe, ethnicity, and we do so in partnership with other
Organisation.
The chairman Kaduna State chapter of CMDA, Dr George Timileyin
Gabriel said they are also committed to caring for the whole
man: spirit, soul, and body.
He added that health care is costly now, and it’s more difficult
for those who are displaced from their sources of livelihood.
What we are doing now will go a long way to help their medical
needs.
The Programme Coordinator, Harvest Family, Odili Chioma
identified high cost of living as a barrier for accessing health
facilities. She said the free medical Outreach was organized to
give succor to people who can’t afford basic health care
services and cater for their spiritual needs too.
For us at the Harvest Family Outreach, the Medical Outreach was
an unforgettable experience and its outcome massive, just like
the Bible said what eyes have not seen what ear has not heard
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who
love him. There is no better way of giving back to the society
and putting smiles on the faces of Internally Displaced Persons
and humanity at large.
