World Health Day 2019: Universal Health Coverage: “Health For All; Everyone, Everywhere”
World Health Day is usually celebrated every 7th of April, and the focus for this year’s event is ensuring that quality health care is accessible to every individual and community irrespective of their location and financial status. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one of the key targets of the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development, and the roadmap to actualize a high performing health system are; quality, efficiency, equity, accountability, sustainability and resilience.
THE ROLE OF LIFT4AFRICA IN THIS
In actualizing this, lift4africa join other CSO, partners and stakeholders all over the world to ensure that this key target of a Sustainable Development Goal is actualized, by ensuring that everyone (at the urban and rural area) is enlightened towards health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.
Health For All ‘A REALITY’
A recent report from WHO shows that in 2016, Diabetes came up the rank as the 7th killer or cause of death in the world, killing an estimated 1.6 million up from less than 1 million in 2000.
In ensuring that Health for All becomes a reality, LIFT4Africa and its health department channelled its focus on ‘Blood Sugar Disease’ –Diabetes. This is due to the fact that diabetes is gradually becoming a global crisis, caused by the unhealthy lifestyle adopted by a greater percentage of the world.
A recent report from WHO shows that in 2016, Diabetes came up the rank as the 7th killer or cause of death in the world, killing an estimated 1.6 million up from less than 1 million in 2000. This figure could significantly rise in geometric progression if the world turns a blind eye to this menace. Consequently, this would defeat the No. 3 Agenda of the Global Goal for Sustainable Development.
World Health Day 2019 Activities
LIFT4Africa has taken a step in ensuring that the No. 3 Agenda (good health and wellbeing) of the Global Goal for Sustainable Development is actualized, by conducting free FBS/RBS blood sugar and blood pressure test using the simple glucometer test (Accute-Check) and a BP apparatus at the urban city of Owerri and Umuago-Urualla (a rural area).
AT DAN-ANYIAM STADIUM, OWERRI MUNICIPAL, IMO STATE.
An awareness program was held on the 6th of April to usher in the main event. It started at 6:35 am with the view of conducting a test after which we would go for road work. The team present on ground was headed by the Executive Director Mr Ezeani Chiemezie, and the medical team, which include; Dr Ejike, Mr Ezeh Chike Caleb was assisted by Ugoeze Ihezue (as the lab. scientist), Obijekwu Sarah Ijeoma (nurse), Mark Abraham, Judith Ihezue and Kizito Chialaka were also on ground for logistic and mobilization.
Our target was to attend to 50 people, in the end, we were able to attend to 53 persons. during the test, we noticed …. …. those with severe cases were told how to manage the issue, what to eat and avoid in order to stay Healthier thereafter advised to visit the closest Health centre to them for reconfirmation and possible treatment.
UMUAGO-URUALLA, IDEATO-NORTH LGA, IMO STATE NIGERIA.
A team comprising the Executive Director, Ezeani Chiemezie, Mark Abraham, Judith Ihezue and the medical team –Dr. Ileka Onyekachukwu Obidi, Mr Ezeh Caleb (both from FMC Owerri) assisted by Ugoeze Ihezue (lab. Sci.) and Mrs Obijekwu Sarah Ijeoma (nurse from St. David Hospital) left Owerri at 6:40 am but due to certain challenges arrived the venue at 8:45 am. Being on a Sunday, we stationed in front of Queen of Apostle Catholic Church, so we could get our desired target (100 persons). During the event, we observed that……… by the end of the day, we were able to reach out to 59 persons.
Those with severe cases were also adviced how to manage the issue, what to eat and avoid in order to stay healthier thereafter advised to visit the closest Health centre within Urualla for reconfirmation and possible treatment. The program ended at 11:00 am after which we went for lunch at Mr Cypril Ndiukw’s compound. We left Urualla at 1:20 pm with fruits gifted to us by the villagers. We arrived at Owerri at 2:05 pm.
World Health Day 2019 Challenges
At Owerri, we didn’t face any major challenge, but on the second day, were accosted by the Nigeria Police Force on our way to Urualla due to paper work. After 35 minutes we were allowed to commence our journey. This was a huge setback on our logistics. Secondly was the issue of transportation. But Dr. Ileka came to the rescue by providing his car.
World Health Day 2019 Recommendation
Individuals; Individuals must realize that it is their right and responsibility to ensure they remain healthy and as such, do everything within their capacity to remain healthy by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Government/Policy Makers; Stakeholders in the health sector should come together and look at how they could make UHC a reality, this could only be possible if government and stakeholders should invest in quality, affordable and accessible health care system by empowering individuals and communities through health education with assistance of CSOs and community health workers advocacy.
World Health Day 2019 Sponsors
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- Mrs Ogechi Mmaduabuchi and Mrs Amaka Ezeani contributed to the success of this program
- Dr Chioma Ejekam donated an Omron M2 Intellisense Automatic BP monitor to the organisation for the program.
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