Succor as NGOs tackles diabetes, hypertension offers free treatment in Gombe
BY NAJIB SANI, GOMBE
Hundreds of aged men and women in Gombe have received free medication in hypertension and diabetes. This according to the Non Government Organizations was to improve the well-being of the older people in the society.
Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons In Nigeria (COSROPIN) in collaboration with a community based organisation in Gombe State ‘Motherhen Development Foundation’ on Saturday offered free counselling and tests to the aged men and women in Tudun Wada community of Gombe State.
Our correspondent reports that the exercise which is funded by an international NGO ‘VOICE’ prioritize hypertension and diabetes.
Speaking at the flag off of the exercise at the palace of the district head of Tudun Wada, the state coordinator of COSROPIN Hajiya Aishatu Bukar explained that the organisation was established with the objective of giving voice to the older persons in the country and improving their well-being.
She said the organisation observed that a lot of aged people develop serious ailments such as hypertension or diabetes due to lack of orientation hence they organised the event to conduct health talks and offer free tests to the members of the community and refer those who are tested positive for hypertension or diabetes to hospital for proper medical attention.
She noted that the older people need to be helped and assisted in the society for the role they played in their active ages in public services, businesses, nurturing the younger ones and inculcating good norms and values in the children.
“Most of our communities and societies feel once somebody is old, is the end of life for that person whereas is not. That person deserves good care, feeding, deserve to associate with other people. That’s why we educate caregivers on how to take care of their older ones and the older persons on these ailments so they could live in good health condition for the rest of their lives.”, she stated.
Also speaking, the representative of the donor organisation ‘VOICE’ Mr Cedric Owuru said the objective of the organisation is to give voice to the most marginalised members of the society hence it supported COSROPIN and the foundation to conduct the exercise to the older persons who are one of the marginalized groups of people in the society.
The representative of Motherland Development Foundation, a partner in the project, Mrs Linda Ayuba advised the beneficiaries of the free screenings and counseling to pass the message to other members of the community.
Responding on behalf of the community, the district head of Tudun Wada who is also the ‘Shamaki’ of Gombe emirate Alhaji Usman Muhammed Shamaki expressed appreciation to the organisations for carrying out the exercise in his area.
He said the health talks and screenings for hypertension and diabetes were paramount ‘considering the fact that such ailments are so rampant among the aged people most of who live with the problems without knowing’.
