The President, National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Pyrates Confraternity, Mr. Owoaje Abiola, has tasked government at all levels to improve on reach of medical facilities and access to medicines especially in rural communities.
He made the call during a medical outreach by Barrakuda X Deck in collaboration with Olympus Marino Deck, for residents of Kono community, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Abiola also called on corporate organisations and government agencies to routinely carry out their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSRs) in communities. He also decried the poor state of medical facilities in rural Nigeria while addressing journalists during the free medical care delivery at the weekend. He further advocated for increased participation of private sector in providing access to medicine.
He however enjoined governments at all levels to operate an open-door policy to encourage collaboration from humanitarian organisations, so as to beef up primary health care in Nigeria.
He said: “We see these things as our CSR. We are giving back to the community and we encourage every organisation to do same from time to time as best as they can, because the government will not be able to do everything but as an organisation we have that conviction that we need to give back to society all the same.”
Earlier, the Chapter President of Barrakuda X Deck, Mr. Ejiro Akudihor, said that the decision to carry out the medical outreach in Kono community was reached following the lack of medical care facilities in the area.
However, some of the beneficiaries, commended the effort of the association but implored the government to establish a health center for them.
The health care services that were delivered to about 300 beneficiaries at the outreach included emergency treatment, pediatrics, general medicine, dental care, optometry services, a mobile pharmaceutical medicine dispensary for diagnosed cases and general medical advisory.
In addition to the laboratory test services offered, 60 prescription glasses, dental health services and medicines were rendered to the patients. The beneficiaries also received treated mosquito nets, worm medicines for over 100 children and multivitamins and immunity boosters for the elderly.
