April 05, (THEWILL) – At least 500 elderly people from the 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State have received free medical treatment from the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC).
The medical outreach conducted on Friday, at the Primary Health Centre, Barracks Road, Uyo, according to Dr Emem Omokaro, Director General, NSCC, was conducted by the Agency in collaboration with the Federal Government and the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and is aimed at providing medical assistance to the elderly in the State.
Omokaro said that UUTH consultants in different specialist areas had assessed those who would benefit from the assistive devices.
“We are here in Akwa Ibom State because of our senior citizens, as we have been going around the country.
“We are here to also attend to senior citizens in Akwa Ibom state and also support them by way of medical outreach and assistive devices to improve their quality of life.
“Give them instructions on how to manage their chronic situations well.
“For this outreach, we have targeted 500 older persons; we have consultants in different specialist areas”, Omokaro said.
The director general listed the assistive devices provided by NSCC to include wheelchairs, walkers, clutches, hearing aids, diabetes test kits, tripod walking sticks, commode chairs, walking frames, guide canes and eyeglasses, among others.
In her remarks, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Emem Ibanga, said the State Government placed priority in the welfare of elderly persons in the state.
“For almost two years now, our Arise Elderly Care Initiative has provided financial support of N50,000 to 600 older persons across all wards in the state.
“Additionally, we have enrolled hundreds of senior citizens in our State Insurance Scheme, built Arise Compassionate Homes, and we are currently developing a senior citizens’ home in Ibiono Ibom, all to ensure that our elderly are well cared for”, she said.
Ibanga said the government initiatives serve as a token of appreciation for the invaluable contributions made by senior citizens during their active years.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with the NSCC to enhance the general well-being of the elderly in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ekem, urged the senior citizens to take full advantage of the state’s well-equipped primary health centres for their medical needs.
