By Aderogba George
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in partnership with the One World Initiative for Sustainable Development, has inaugurated a medical outreach programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja.
The outreach, which commenced at the New Kuchingoro IDP Camp, is targeted at vulnerable women, children and other displaced persons requiring urgent healthcare support.
Speaking at the ceremony on Friday in Abuja, the Head of Planning Department at NCFRMI, Mr Sam Sam, said the intervention was designed to address pressing health challenges identified through a recent needs assessment conducted in selected camps.
Sam said the commission, in collaboration with stakeholders, surveyed 7,776 displaced persons and 1,246 vulnerable men, women and children, with findings revealing healthcare gaps among camp residents.
According to him, the medical outreach is part of efforts to provide immediate humanitarian assistance while advancing long-term solutions for the welfare and reintegration of displaced persons.
He said beneficiaries would receive free health screenings, including malaria tests, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, treatment for malaria cases, deworming services and referrals for specialised care where necessary.
“The commission remains committed to improving the living conditions of displaced persons through strategic interventions and partnerships,” he said.
Also speaking, President of the One World Initiative for Sustainable Development, Mr Timothy Achanya, said the outreach became necessary following a Memorandum of Understanding between the organisation and NCFRMI to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and IDPs in Nigeria.
Achanya said the intervention was informed by the findings of a joint needs assessment, which identified healthcare as one of the most urgent needs among vulnerable populations in displacement camps.
He described the programme as a quick response aimed at addressing immediate medical challenges while laying the foundation for future empowerment initiatives, including life-skills acquisition programmes.
“This intervention provides a platform to deliver essential healthcare services and promote health education as we work towards achieving durable solutions for IDPs in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria.
“The programme includes free health screenings, treatment for malaria, deworming services, health education on hygiene, nutrition, vaccination, maternal health and chronic disease prevention, as well as referrals for specialised care,” he said.
Achanya said the organisation planned to replicate similar interventions in other parts of the country, especially communities affected by displacement and humanitarian crises.
He called on government agencies, development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at improving the welfare of displaced persons.
A representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Public Health, Mrs Deborah Azeez, said the outreach would improve access to essential healthcare services for camp residents.
Azeez said health officials were conducting blood pressure and blood sugar tests, as well as deworming exercises, to prevent common health complications among displaced persons.
She commended the partnership and expressed optimism that the intervention would contribute to better health outcomes for camp residents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other partners supporting the outreach include the FCT Department of Public Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme and other public-spirited Nigerians.
NAN further reports that the New Kuchingoro IDP Camp is home to more than 1,200 displaced persons, many of whom are expected to benefit from the intervention. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade