Abuja: Some stakeholders have called for the establishment of a primary healthcare facility in Kobi Community, a suburb of Abuja, to attend to the health needs of the community. They made the call in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of a free medical outreach, organised by National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Democracy Radio in partnership with Garki Hospital.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the General Manager of NILDS Democracy Radio, Mrs. Uju Nwachukwu, emphasized the need to extend services beyond radio broadcasts and directly engage with the community's health needs. She noted that residents of Kobi Community face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly affecting children and the elderly. The collaboration with Garki Hospital aims to address these needs through direct medical intervention.
Mrs. Nwachukwu highlighted the limitations faced by both government and individuals in addressing healthcare needs and called for increased partnerships and collaborations. She commended Garki Hospital for providing 10 medical personnel for the outreach, acknowledging the overwhelming demand for medical services in the community. She urged the Ministry of Health and government to enhance healthcare services in rural areas.
Dr. Sylvester Enudi, a family physician from Garki Hospital, observed that the community is vulnerable to diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea due to environmental conditions. He also pointed out signs of malnutrition among children. Dr. Enudi emphasized the importance of primary healthcare facilities being well-equipped and staffed to manage community health needs effectively. He warned of the grave consequences of lacking such facilities, highlighting cases of untreated high blood pressure within the community.
Chief Audu Kaura, the traditional ruler of the community, expressed gratitude for the outreach initiative. He noted the inadequacy of existing healthcare facilities and urged the government to establish a well-equipped primary healthcare center in the community. The outreach was warmly received, providing much-needed medical services and medications to the residents.