Gates Foundation, NGOs Combat Infant Killer Diseases In Akwa Ibom

The Bill Gates Foundation (BGF), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and key stakeholders in the health sector have launched an intervention scheme in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State government to mitigate the effects of major childhood diseases in children under five years.

This was the major thrust of a consensus and baseline assessment meeting by stakeholders in the health sector including the Rotary International Foundation (RIF) under its pet project – Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The meeting, it was gathered, was aimed at strengthening healthcare access for children under five, who, they noted, were facing the danger of death by killer ailments including pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea.

Team Lead of the PATH/ RHCC Project, Chinedu Eqwuonwu, explained that the programme, already implemented in several African countries, aligns with Nigeria’s Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) initiative under the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“We are not setting up anything new; we are supporting Akwa Ibom State to expand access to primary healthcare, especially for underserved children in rural communities,” he said.

According to him, the project, already active in six local government areas of the state, trains community-nominated health workers to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, thereby reducing the long-distance visit to hospitals, explaining that, “If a child shows danger signs, these workers facilitate referrals to primary or secondary facilities.”

Country Representative for RHCC, Adeyemi Oladokun, called for a stronger collaboration and commended the state government for prioritising child-health.

“Rotary is committed to advocacy and strategic planning to ensure that this project succeeds. We want fewer children under five dying from preventable diseases,” he stated.

The chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AISPHDA), Dr Martin Akpan, lauded the administration of Governor Umo Eno for their commitment to healthcare development, citing the recent commissioning of an ultra-modern health centre in Ikot Ekwere Ubium, in Nsit Ubium LGA and the state’s oxygen plant as milestones.

“With the governor’s passion, Akwa Ibom is leading in primary healthcare,” he noted, and thanked Rotary International for choosing the state for the intervention.

The project is expected to significantly reduce child mortality by bridging gaps in healthcare access across rural communities.