Over 500 elderly individuals from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have benefitted from a free medical outreach programme organised by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in collaboration with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
The Director General of the NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, explained that the initiative was part of a nationwide effort to improve the wellbeing of senior citizens through healthcare support and assistive devices. She noted that recipients were assessed by UUTH consultants across various medical specialities before receiving their equipment.
“We are here in Akwa Ibom State because of our senior citizens, as we have been going around the country.
Our aim is to attend to senior citizens in Akwa Ibom, support them with medical outreach and assistive devices to improve their quality of life, and provide guidance on managing chronic conditions.
The assistive devices provided included wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hearing aids, diabetes test kits, tripod walking sticks, commode chairs, walking frames, guide canes, and eye glasses, among others,” Dr Omokaro said.
Among the assistive items distributed were wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, hearing aids, diabetes test kits, tripod walking sticks, commode chairs, guide canes, walking frames, and prescription eyeglasses.
Akwa Ibom’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Emem Ibanga, expressed the state government’s continued commitment to the welfare of its elderly population. She referenced projects like the Arise Elderly Care Initiative, which offers financial assistance to older residents, as part of this effort.
Ibanga also revealed plans for a senior citizens’ home currently under development in Ibiono Ibom, which will provide further care and support for the elderly across the state.
“The state government’s initiatives are a token of appreciation for the invaluable contributions made by senior citizens during their active years,” she said, reaffirming the state government’s partnership with the NSCC.
Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ekem, urged elderly residents to make full use of the state’s well-equipped primary healthcare centres to address their health needs.
The outreach event featured the distribution of assistive devices, medical check-ups, health education sessions, and goodwill messages tailored to the elderly community.
