The Rotaract Club of Abuja Federal Alpha, in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Abuja Federal, has launched a 4-in-1 healthcare initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health in Piwoyi community of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The project supported by the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal and the Silver Lining Initiative (SLNI) focused on disease prevention, hypertension awareness, sickle cell awareness, and the distribution of birthing kits and anti-malaria medications to pregnant women and mothers in the community.
President of the Rotaract Club of Abuja Federal Alpha, Christiana Osuji, who led the outreach yesterday at Piwoyi Healthcare Center, said that it was aimed to benefit over 100 people, including expectant mothers and children.
“This community has always welcomed us with enthusiasm. We are here to ensure they receive essential health education, preventive care, and medications, particularly for conditions like hypertension and sickle cell disease,” she said.
Osuji added that the outreach included free blood pressure checks, health talks on personal hygiene, and distribution of medications for conditions such as hypertension and sickle cell disease. Pregnant women received vitamins and educational advice on the importance of prenatal care and maintaining proper hygiene.
She stressed the importance of personal hygiene, especially for pregnant women, encouraging them to take their vitamins and attend prenatal care regularly.
“While I am not a health professional, I always emphasise the need for these women to prioritize their health. Today, we’ve brought essential supplies like zinc and folic acid to ensure their well-being,” she said.
President of the Rotaract Club of Abuja Federal Community Base, Dati Abubakar Mahmood, highlighted the Rotary’s commitment to disease prevention and treatment, saying that today’s initiative was part of their broader efforts to reduce mortality rates in the community.
“We are focusing on key areas today, from hypertension awareness to personal hygiene for expectant and nursing mothers. This is an adopted community for us, and we make it a priority to visit frequently, ensuring that people here have access to the primary healthcare they need.
“We renovated the health centre here. It is a rural area with conditions many would not expect in a city like Abuja. Our work ensures that the centre remains stocked with vital medicines, helping to sustain the healthcare services,” he said.
The Foundation chair of the Rotaract Club of Abuja Federal, Rotaractor Joy Uche Obiri said that Rotary focuses on maternal and child health, and that the provision of birthing kits was a crucial part of their initiative.
“If we can provide a simple birthing kit or help someone with malaria get treatment, we have achieved our goal. We also provide immediate hypertension treatment, using medications like Nifedipine, especially for pregnant women,” she said.
She said that the Rotary Club’s calendar includes a variety of health initiatives throughout the year, focusing on areas like maternal health, education, and disease prevention.
Joy concluded by encouraging beneficiaries to use the resources provided and reach out for further support if needed, emphasising Rotary’s commitment to improving lives in tough economic times.
She said that the outreach event underscores the impact of Rotary and its youth wing, Rotaract, as they continue to serve the communities of Abuja, providing critical healthcare services and improving the quality of life for many in need.
