WOFAN enhances healthcare access for FCT rural women with ‘Lab-ulance’
By Bukola Adewumi
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN-ICON2) has provided a ‘Lab-ulance’ to support the healthcare system of a farming community in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The support is in partnership with MasterCard Foundation and Benson Colman and Associate limited.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Lab-ulance’ is a tricycle fully kitted with medical equipment such as laboratory equipment, midwifery equipment, refrigerator powered by a solar system and other basic health equipment.
It comes as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration in Abuja.
The Executive Director of WOFAN, Hajia Salamatu Garba, who spoke on the sidelines of the event, said the initiative was borne out of the concerns that farmers too needed to be healthy before they could farm.
“Farmers need to remain healthy before they can produce food for us sustainably.
“And if you look at the farming communities, they lack access to roads, healthcare facilities and so on; they cannot get first hand services for their families.
“This was what brought the issue of ‘Lab-ulance’ manufactured by youths working with WOFAN; it is a simple innovation and affordable transport system that can also carry a doctor.
“In this ‘Lab-ulance’, we have the midwifery; we have the laboratory equipment; we have equipment you need including a refrigerator that is powered by solar system.
“This is the kind of development that we need in Nigeria.’’
She said it was ideal for every ward in Nigeria to have this system linked to primary healthcare, and doctors will not be seen running away from duties because they have every facility.
Garba said the women were required to pay only N2, 500 as health insurance which would cover their husband and two children.
For a start, Garba said WOFAN would pay six months health insurance fee for 450 women after which they were expected to sustain it.
“Now, look at a woman who is required to pay N2,500 per month for a family of Husband, wife and two children; that takes care of any healthcare that they need.
“We are paying for six months for three clusters now; one cluster is made up of 150 people; so, we have 450 people; we are starting with them.
“We are taking this campaign to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum; let them see how little can be done to serve the community at large,’’ she said.
The Village Head of Gwarimpa, Mr Yakubu Bayaro, commended WOFAN for bringing the initiative to the community.
He said it would go a long way in making healthcare accessible to the community. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
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