As part of efforts to improve the well-being of older people, a Non Governmental Organisation called ‘Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons In Nigeria (COSROPIN) in collaboration with a community based organisation in Gombe State, ‘Motherhen Development Foundation’ yesterday offered free counselling and tests to aged men and women in Tudun Wada community for hypertension and diabetes.
The exercise was funded by an international NGO known as ‘VOICE’.
Speaking at the flag-off of the exercise which took place at the palace of the district head of Tudun Wada, the state coordinator of COSROPIN, Hajiya Aishatu Bukar, said the organisation was established with the objective of giving voice to older persons in the country and improving their well-being.
She said the organisation observed that a lot of aged people develop serious ailments such as hypertension or diabetes due to lack of orientation, hence they organised the event to conduct health talks and offer free tests for members of the community and refer those who tested positive for hypertension or diabetes to hospitals for proper medical attention.
She added that older people need to be assisted for the roles they played in their active ages in public service.