Rotary Clubs Launch Maternal, Child Health Outreach At Durumi IDP Camp

The Rotary Club of Abuja Wuse II and the Rotary Club of New Braunfels, Texas, USA have carried out their first flagship project for the 2025/2026 Rotary year: a maternal and child health outreach at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Durumi, Abuja.

The outreach which was held at the weekend benefitted 288 individuals, who included 87 women, 15 men and 186 children, through a 2-in-1 intervention focused on maternal healthcare and disease prevention.

Under the leadership of president, Rotarian Bede Okafor (PHF) and coordinated by the project chair, Rotarian Husayn Zaguru, the initiative provided 50 expectant mothers with mama kits, treated mosquito nets, childcare essentials and toiletries.

The team also facilitated free health screenings for hepatitis B, malaria, blood sugar, and blood pressure, and offered critical health education sessions, including a cholera awareness and prevention talk.

“This outreach aligns with Rotary’s global focus on maternal and child health,” said President Okafor. “We are committed to saving lives by addressing key challenges like safe delivery, infant care, and hygiene awareness among displaced populations.”

The project stemmed from a thorough community assessment conducted by the Rotary Club of Abuja Wuse II, which identified severe gaps in maternal healthcare, hygiene, and access to essential services within the Durumi camp. Consultations with camp authorities and interactions with residents revealed that many expectant mothers lacked the resources and knowledge for safe deliveries and postnatal care.

Assistant Governor Rotarian Keziah Okonofua, alongside First Lady Rotarian Maureen Ezinne Maduako-Okafor, Past Presidents, Board Members, and dedicated volunteers, played key roles in executing the project. Their collective efforts were aimed not only at addressing immediate needs but also at fostering long-term behavioral change and building trust in local healthcare services.

According to the organisers, the outreach has already begun to yield positive results by encouraging increased visits to the Primary Health Care Clinic, enhancing the use of hygienic delivery methods, and empowering families with knowledge to prevent disease outbreaks such as cholera.

The Rotary Club expressed optimism that the project’s impact would continue well beyond the event, with plans underway to construct a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in one of its adopted communities within Abuja.

“With every Mama Kit distributed and every child vaccinated or screened, we inch closer to a healthier, more resilient community,” said Rotarian Zaguru. “Together, we serve to change lives and this is only the beginning.”