Two Non-Governmental Organisations, the Ayofe Health Awareness Initiative and the Medicare Trust Foundation in Nigeria, at the weekend, complimented the healthcare service of the Osun State Government by deworming about 1000 indigents, mostly children.
The programme was held at Bode-Osi, Asamu, Ogbaagbaa, Ikire-Ile, Ile-Ogo, Ajagun Laase and Telemu all in Ola-Oluwa Local Government of the state.
The programme was tagged “War Against Worms” dewormed mainly children between the age of 4 and 15 with some adults.
The Executive Director of the Ayofe Health Awareness Initiative, Hon. Adebayo Muritala Ayofe remarked that worm was dangerous to the body.
According to him, worm infestation has many health implications on children’s health, ranging from stunt growth to brain damage and possibly death.
He said many children suffer worm infestation but their parents ignorantly treat malaria, which eventually often complicate the child’s health status.
“This is a humanitarian service to the communities. “I am from Bode-Osi and I love my community and its environs. “The service is to complement government’s efforts in the area of healthcare delivery.
“I believe health is wealth and that is the reason behind this frequent deworming exercise,” Ayofe said.
He recalled that in February 2017 when the programme was first initiated in Bode-Osi, over 450 children and adults were dewormed.
“Although we planned to deworm 5000 children and adults, only 1,436 people came out for this exercise.
“We are also planning to organise another health care service soon. It is our hope that parents will bring out their children and wards for the exercise.
“One of the volunteer medical doctors at the outreach, Dr Abdulwasii Daud, shared his insight on the programme.
“I was invited to assist in the health service and as a medical doctor, it is part of our calling; that is the oath we swore to while in school.
“I see this initiative as a laudable.
Omolara Isreal, one of the beneficiaries who brought her five children for the deworming exercise, commended the NGOs for the initiative.
“I commend the organisers of the programme, it’s a very laudable one.
“We are happy to have this kind of programme in our community. “I am especially grateful to the organisers and I pray that God bless them and continue to enrich them,” Israel said.
Mr Olufisayo Olagunde, the President of Ola-Oluwa Local Government Indigenes, remarked that the programme was worthwhile and rewarding.
“The program is highly worthwhile and desirable. “Worms cause a lot of harms in children, which include stunt growth, brain damage and incessant sickness.
“We appreciate the initiative of the NGOs for bringing this free healthcare service to the rural areas,”
Olagunde said. The traditional rulers of Ajagun Laase and Ogbaagbaa communities, Oba Ismaila Gbadamosi Fabunmi and Oba Dikrullahi Olabiran respectively also expressed happiness over the humanitarian service.
Oba Olabiran underscored the importance of health care service, saying many parents do not know they have to deworm their children regularly.
He thanked the organisers of the programme and prayed they continue to prosper.
