By Israel Mbam
Lighthouse Medical Services and their partners have held a one-day health sensitization programme for communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The communities are where ring road project were recently executed. The sensitization which took place at three different venues; Ikwo High School for Mgbabu community, Ikwo LGA Headquarters for Echara Community, and Noyo Civic Centre for Alike Community was held on Friday 12th July, 2024.
Addressing participants at the different venues of the programme, the leader of the team and former Commissioner for Environment in Ebonyi State, Dr. Richard Nnabo said the health sensitization programme was to equip communities who benefited from the recently constructed ring road project in the State with relevant health information and health challenges that are associated with such projects. He stressed that most sexually transmitted and communicable diseases spread mostly in such areas due to influx of strangers and construction company workers who may take advantage of women in those communities.
The Resource persons, including Dr. Joseph Agboeze, Dr. Nwasum, and a consultant Mr. Ndubuisi, Mr. Ezigbo Chikwendu among others enlightened the people on prevention of diseases/infections such as HIV/AIDS, STI, TB anong others.
They emphasized the need for precautionary measures, hygiene, early testing/regular medical checkup and avoidance of habits that would expose them to contracting HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo thanked the team for their visit and for educating Ikwo people on what they need to know about their health. The Chairman who was represented by his special assistant on Inter-Governmental Affair, Mr. Ogbonna Ofim, pledged to step down the sensitization programme, stressing that health remains one of the priority areas of his legacy administration.
In their goodwill messages, the Ward Councilors of Ndufu Echara, Hon. Basil Igwe, Noyo Ward, Hon. Ejiofor Nwenyim, Echialike Ward, Hon. Casmir Nwancho and that of Enyibichiri Ward, Elder Hon. David Ogale commended Lighthouse Medical Services for the timely sensitization. They called on participants not to only make use of the information gotten from the program, but to also pass it across to those who were not in attendance.
Participants at the health sensitization were stakeholders, which include ward councilors, Town union Presidents, youth leaders, Women Leaders, clergy, students and others who drawn from communities that benefited from the ring road project.
