A Civil Society Organization on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), has stressed the need for people to prioritize their health needs by embracing regular health check-ups.
The Chairman of ACOMIN in Delta State, Pastor Gregory Sifo stated this during an Exit Focus Group Discussion at Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Sifo said that ACOMIN was intervening at Obodogba health centre and Ogbeobi comprehensive health centre, adding that residents should patronize the healthcare facilities for their healthcare services and needs.
He explained that in most cases, oldage has its health challenges, noting that through consistent check up at the healthcare facilities, one would be able to detect health challenges and be able to treat and manage them.
While noting that some issues might not pose any serious health challenge but require adequate resting, Sifo advised every individual to desist from patronizing ‘agbo’ (illicit gin concoction) sellers but rely on health centres and hospitals for quality services.
Earlier, the Programme Officer for End-Time Soldier Organization/CE-SI Project under ACOMIN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Nobea urged residents in the community to always protect facilities in the two health centres.
Nobea stated that the meeting was part of the community engagement and participation initiative of ACOMIN project, aimed at entrenching the sustainability of the project after the global fund might have ended.
In their separate remark, some community stakeholders including Elder Sunday Akunne and Mr. Azubuike Ogume lauded ACOMIN representatives for their efforts and unwavering commitment towards revitalizing public health facilities in Delta State and Okpanam community in particular.
They identified shortage of personnel in various health centres and unnecessary strict procedural approach of healthcare providers as some of the things that often discourage people from wanting to access health facilities for their healthcare needs but rather resorting to self-medication.
Akunne and Ogume, however, urged the state government to recruit healthcare workers to address the challenge in order to ensure effective service delivery.
