GROUP TAKES SRHR, DISEASE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO ELEMERE MARKET, KWARA
By Abisola Ariwodola,
A popular Non-govermental Organisations known as Hope for Family Development Initiative, HFDI, on Wednesday took its community Health campaign to Elemere Market in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara state, sensitizing residents on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, and prevention of communicable diseases.
The outreach, held in partnership with staff of Elemere Primary Health Centre, PHC, commenced targeted market men and women, artisans, and young people who gathered to trade.
HFDI facilitators and PHC personnel engaged traders on the importance of accessing family planning services, antenatal and postnatal care, and regular medical check-ups.
They also educated the community on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of malaria and other communicable diseases, emphasizing that “not every fever is malaria” and urging residents to seek proper diagnosis before treatment.
The team stressed that quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and encouraged residents to make use of the free services available at Elemere PHC.
Highlight of the outreach was the identification and referral of a malnourished two-year-old child seen at the market. The child’s caregiver was immediately issued a referral note and directed to Elemere PHC for further assessment and treatment with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, RUTF.
Market leaders and participants commended HFDI and the PHC team for bringing health information and services to their doorstep. Many pledged to act on the advice shared and to encourage others to visit the health centre.
HFDI reiterated its commitment to increasing access to SRHR information and strengthening community health-seeking behavior across rural communities in Kwara State.
The organisation said similar outreaches will continue in other markets and communities as part of efforts to reduce maternal, newborn, and child health challenges while promoting disease prevention at the grassroots.