LAPO empowers 1,475,951 Nigerians with health, social services in 2017
The Executive Director of Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), Sabina Idowu-Osehobo said 1,475,951 women and other vulnerable community members across the country have been empowered with health and social services in 2017.
Osehobo, who gave the hint during the annual media forum of the organisation in Benin-City, also disclosed that a total of 187,752 women were screened for common diseases.
She listed the common diseases screened to include HIV/AIDS, malaria, blood pressure, blood sugar, hepatitis and diabetes with 3,386 beneficiaries revered for treatment in government approved hospitals.
She said of the over one million women empowered with health and social service in the period under review, 397,624 persons received direct services while the rest were reached through information, enlightenment and communication materials.
The executive director posited that the organisation is determined to improve quality health and healthy living amongst community members, adding that the rural dwellers were more vulnerable to diseases due to ignorance and unhealthy living practices.
She remarked that economic, social and health empowerment have always been an integral part of LAPO’s poverty reduction strategies, opining that there can be no meaningful development without women empowerment and active participation development.
On screening of persons for common diseases, she added that the organisation encourages early detection and management of health conditions in target communities.
While adding that pregnant and nursing mothers were sensitised during antenatal and child immunisation clinic days in local health facilities and community meeting venues, she pointed out that routine screening and health awareness by the organisation has contributed significantly to a reduction in drug abuse among beneficiaries.
She however, encouraged members of the public to undertake regular health status check especially in rural communities due to improve knowledge of the importance of proper diagnosis before drug administration towards promoting early detection and management of tropical dies ewes, and that screening is a major component of LAPO health intervention strategy.
IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, Benin