A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) known as Project 25 Klubb of Nigeria, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Council of Delta State, in conjunction with Geneith Pharmaceuticals and the World Health Organization (WHO), on Friday (December 28, 2018) embarked on the maiden edition of its free medical outreach and sensitisation against common ailments.

The event, which held at Okpanam town hall, was graced by youths, women and children of the community and its environs as well as senior citizens who took advantage of the opportunity to get medical checkups, advice and treatments from professionals at no cost and was sponsored by members of the club who are indigenes of Okpanam, including its illustrious son and Commissioner for Information, Ogbueshi Patrick Ukah.

Addressing newsmen, the President of the club, Mr. Anthony Onwuka, said the outreach was initiated to assist the people by bringing qualitative health services to their doorposts. He added that common ailments like malaria, diabetes and symptoms such as High Blood Pressure are some of the silent killers that lead to untimely deaths, even as he said that more severe cases would be appropriately referred for further medical attention.

In the same vein, the representative of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Ngozi Onwuka, said that the company consented to sponsor the medical outreach powered by Project 25 Klubb based on the benevolence of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa. She disclosed that antibiotics, analgesics and anti-malaria, among other drugs, were provided for free distribution by the company to those who may need them but cannot afford to get them.

While reacting to the proliferation of fake drugs in the country, Pharm Onwuka commended the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its efforts in tackling the menace. She recommended grassroots sensitisation as a potent weapon in the fight against the menace.

Pharm Onwuka urged other pharmaceutical companies to comply with the Mobile Authentication Service initiated by NAFDAC to combat fake drugs. She commended Project 25 Klubb for its humanitarian gestures beyond the free medical outreach, adding that Geneith Pharmaceuticals would partner with the group to ensure that more persons benefit from the free healthcare scheme.

Speaking for WHO, its representative in the community and coordinator of the outreach, Lady Patricia Ideh, charged the beneficiaries to report cases of Yellow Fever, Tetanus and irregular health symptoms to the nearest health center for prompt medical care. She also challenged them to always keep their environment clean to avoid preventable diseases.

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