Group screens over 300 beneficiaries for hepatitis, HIV at Kwara orphanages
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Advocates for Orphaned Children (AOC) on Saturday screened over 300 beneficiaries for Hepatitis and HIV/AIDs across Kwara orphanages.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free medical exercise was held at City of Refuge Orphanage Home, the Islamic Orphanage Home and Takasko Life Care initiative in Ilorin.
Speaking on the sidelines of the screening, the Executive Director of AOC, Dr. Emmanuel Babalola, explained that the programme is a two-day exercise across some orphanages in the state.
He explained that children and care givers were tested for HIV and hepatitis, adding that only two results were reactive.
According to him, the initiative was to ensure every child has access to good health.
“Today is not just another event. It is a statement that every child matters and deserves good health and an opportunity to thrive,” he said.
Babalola also commended the Kwara Government for the support of the initiative and life saving intervention for the orphanages.
Also speaking, the Desk Officer of Kwara Viral Hepatitis ‘B’, Mrs Bilqees Alaya, noted that the State government has equipped health facilities to prevent hepatitis.
Alaya said some health facilities have been equipped to offer prophylaxis to pregnant women who have tested positive to viral Hepatitis from third trimester till the delivery of the baby.
She explained that it was part of the safety measures to prevent mother from having a child that tested positive to Hepatitis ‘B’
She warned against the danger associated with the viral infection, saying it could dwell within the body system of a potential victim, especially an adult for more than two decades without any symptoms.
Alaya noted that sizeable number of children are susceptible to the virus, resulting to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
She, however, applauded the organizers and partners for bringing educational assessment and essential health services closer to children who need them.
Also speaking, the Kwara Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Imam, identified education and good health as fundamental pillars of a child’s development.
She observed that the free screening demonstrates a commendable commitment to addressing both.
Imam, who was represented by the Director of Social Welfare of the ministry, Alhaji Amusat Fatai, added that children deserve the opportunity to learn, grow and live a healthy and fulfilling life, irrespective of their background or circumstances.
The commissioner commended the organizers and partners for bringing educational assessment and essential health services closer to children who need them.
“The initiative would contribute meaningfully to building healthier, better-prepared and more confident children through identification of their learning needs and promotion of early detection of health challenges,” she said.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Chapter, Mrs Munirat Akanbi-Bello, stressed the need to educate the citizens on ways to contain HIV and other viral infections.
She also emphasized on regular screening for early detection, while also urging residents to be conscious of the prevalence of viral diseases in the society. (NAN)
