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Amaechi Seeks Fresh Polio Immunisation Nationwide …As Rotary Immunises 2billion Children
Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Services, Apapa Port, Mrs Taiwo Olayemi, Commissioner, Lagos Ports Authority Police Command, Mr Kayode Aderanti (right) and other officials during a visit by the Police Commissioner to the immigration office, Apapa Port last Wednesday.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has called for intensified anti-Polio drive in the Northern part of the country.
He said current statistics reveal that the North is still beset with the disease which often attack children at infancy, noting that there are not much cases in the South because of the heightened awareness.
Governor Amaechi while speaking when the Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman and past Rotary International President, Rotarian Domg Kurn Lee led other Rotarians to pay him a courtesy call at Government House yesterday, in Port Harcourt, declared zero tolerance for Polio in the state.
With the current success recorded in Polio reduction nationwide has bouyed Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi to call for a fresh Polio immunization campaign across the country.
Already, in Rivers State, the governor has directed the state Ministry of Health to ensure that children are vaccinated in the state to eradicate Polio.
The state chief executive, who noted that the Nigeria Governor’s Forum(NGF) considers immunization as an essential in the eradication of Polio, thanked Rotary International for been part of the fight to end Polio in the country, and enjoined them to intensify their campaign more in the Northern part of the country where the cases of polio is very high.
“The last time you came here, I stressed there is need to establish more Rotary Clubs in the North becuase the fight against Polio should be in the North than in the South. We have had one or two occasions where we have had cases of suspected polio in the South; that was only in Edo”.
He said that Polio cases are more in the North than in the South, especially Yobe and recently Taraba.
He added that,” the petition therefore is to start a fresh Polio immunization campaign again” since immunization is the only answer to the menace.”
The governor warned of the conswquences of contacts from outside the country, stressing that in Rivers State, “ for every child that is born needs to be immunised from Polio’’.
He commended Rotary for the humanitarian work they are doing to fight the menace, while enjoining them to sustain the good works.
Earlier, the Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman and past Rotary International President, Rotarian Domg Kurn Lee noted that Rotary’s number one priority project is Polio eradication, and thanked Governor Chibuike Amaechi, his wife and the government of Rivers State for the numerous support to Rotary Foundation to eradicate Polio.
Rotarian Domg Kurn Lee, who pointed out that Nigeria is still Polio endemic country, expressed the hope that Rotary will end Polio in Nigeria as well as from the list of Polio free countries.
Meanwhile, not less than 2 billion children have been immunized Worldwide against the polio virus by the rotary Club International.
The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair and Past Rotary International President, Dong Kuru Lee, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, also said that the end of Polio is in sight in Nigeria.
Dong Kurn Lee said that the club is working hard to certify Nigeria as a Polio-free nation, stressing that the club takes the issue of Polio seriously.
He commended members of the Rotary Club District 9140 for their level of hospitality, and urged all to join hands with the club to eradicate Polio in the country.
The Rotary International Foundation Trustee Chair also administered Polio vaccines to some children at the Igwuruta Health Centre as well as unveiled of “End Polio Now, Billboard of Sir Emeka Offor at Igwuruta/Airport roundabout.
In his address, the District Governor District 9140, Rotarian Charles Onianwa said that Polio eradication has been Rotary International’s first priority goal and project for many years.
Rotarian Onianwa said that the club has done very well as far as immunization against polio is concerned.
“We have gone so far. We have immunized over 2 billion children and endemic polio is gone,” he said.
The District Governor also said that the District 9140 is faced with the problem of provision of good water, stressing that the District’s inability to access District grant fund was hampering the provision of water to its catchment areas.
He called for a review of the embargo placed on the District to enable it access funds.
Also speaking, the Rotary Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, Sir Emeka Offor, said that the efforts of the club has led to gradual reduction of Polio cases in the country.
Offor, however, said that a lot needs to be done to make Nigeria Polio free.
It would be recalled that Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the three countries left to be certified polio-free.
John Bibor
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
