To mark the 2021 World Malaria Day, the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI Africa) in partnership with WellaHealth has kicked off a Women Health Support Project themed “BuildBackBetter”. The three-month initiative targets women residents of Somolu Local Government and Bariga Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.
The project, according to its promoters, is aimed at promoting and enlightening women on the importance of environmental wellbeing. It commenced on April 25, 2021 with officials conducting free blood pressure screening among the women.
Co-founder ICCDI Africa, Mr. Olumide Idowu, enjoined the women to pay great attention to their environment and informed them about the importance of climate change. According to him, the environment is in dire need of public attention as it is changing more than ever.
Health Safety Specialist and Director, YOSHE, Kuburat Kadiri, also implored women on the importance of keeping their environment clean to prevent malaria.
“Keeping our environment clean is a prerequisite if we need to combat malaria. Activities such as clearing the bushes and disposing of stagnant waters can go a long way in helping us fight malaria,” she said.
About 60 Women were screened for blood pressure during the exercise. The women residents were also given access to free medical services for the next three months.
Describing the event, Mrs. Yetunde Akintola, a beneficiary of the exercise, expressed enthusiasm about the project. “I came from Bariga to do a blood pressure test and I loved the way they entertained me. They treated me well, listened to me and documented all I had to say,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Alhaja Folashade Yahaya, described the event as eye-opener as she learnt how to become more cautious and proactive in taking care of the environment. “I came from Somolu to do a blood pressure test. I didn’t expect this turn up to be much because it’s on a Sunday, but we thank them. We learnt how to take care of our water, and our environments,” Yahaya submitted.
Idowu expressed appreciation to UNDP Nigeria, Solutions 17 and the UN Basket Fund for supporting the project that will help women from Shomolu and Bariga to access to free medicals and drugs for the next three months.
