The Rotary Club of Abuja Asokoro Diamond, in partnership with Silver Cross Hospital, has commemorated the 2024 World Polio Day with a community outreach programme in Jiwa Gwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The event, themed “Ending Polio, Enhancing Lives,” aimed to raise awareness about polio eradication, provide vital healthcare services, and support vulnerable families and to celebrate the Rotary Action for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, of which over 500 community members benefited from the initiative.
Rotary Club president, Rtn. Dan Agbofode noted Nigeria’s significant progress in polio reduction, with a 95% decline in cases since 2009. He reiterated the club’s commitment to eradicating polio and improving healthcare outcomes in remote communities.
According to him, the collaboration between Rotary Club of Abuja Asokoro Diamond and Silver Cross Hospital demonstrates the power of partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.
“The outreach included awareness and sensitization campaigns, emphasizing the importance of polio vaccination, proper hygiene, and healthcare practices.”
Rotarian Dr. Patrick EZIE, representing Silver Cross Hospital, emphasized their dedication to providing quality healthcare services to underserved communities.
He said that children under five years received free polio vaccines to ensure protection against the debilitating disease. Medical professionals from Silver Cross Hospital conducted health checks, provided counselling, and administered vaccines.
“We’re proud to partner with the Rotary Club in this noble endeavour.”
Also speaking, the outgoing president and project chair, Rtn Shola Ayanronke Adeleke, in her remark, expressed gratitude for the successful partnership and highlighted the impact of the outreach programme.
She said the outreach included; Awareness and sensitization campaigns; Free polio vaccines for children under five; Health checks and counseling by medical professionals; Distribution of Free pampers and mama kits to new mothers; Free drugs, mosquito nets, and clothing; Foodstuffs to breastfeeding mothers and other essential items to families in need.
Assistant governor Rtn Adeleke Stephen said Rotary Club of Abuja Asokoro Diamond has remained resolute in developing service projects in the seven broad areas of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children through accessible health care and other services, supporting basic education and literacy, growing local economies, and protecting the environment, and called on other NGOs to work together to serve humanity.
