By Dr Gbemisola Boyede | Founder/CEO
We are so glad to be back to the communities again following the 2 years hiatus created by the global Covid-19 pandemic which is finally on the decline. Following the removal of most Covid-19 restrictions in Nigeria, Ask The Paediatricians Foundation was glad to celebrate this year 2022 Children's Day with our signature community medical outreaches in all the states and FCT, Abuja reaching the most underserved communities in Nigeria.
ATP National 2022 Community Medical Outreaches started on the 21st May 2022 with an outreach in Delta State. Several States had their outreaches on the 28th May 2022; a day after the Children's Day and a few more in the first two Saturdays of June. All together; we have visited 31 States and the FCT, Abuja. We still have 6 States that have outreaches planned for June to round up the community outreaches. Altogether, 838 ATP volunteers reached 17,047 registered children without counting the parents and other adults. A few locations could not register all the children who came for time constraints.
At the outreaches, all the children were dewormed and had their nutritional status assessed. There was health talk on nutrition and child survival strategies. Sick children were seen by the doctors and had medications prescribed which were dispensed free by our pharmacy team. We were able to do rapid malaria tests as well on the field by our laboratory team. At some of the communities like Badagry, Lagos, we also had our Dental team provide basic dental assessments and procedures for the children seen. In addition to the medical components; we also had fun celebrating the children because it is after all the children's day outreach. The children have healthy snacks and nutritious meals provided and dance competitions. Seven of our community outreaches in Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Edo, Plateau, Abuja and Oyo States had the presence of Friesland Campina, maker of Peak456 milk which were distributed to children aged 4 - 6 years. The children also had fun with dancing competition and winners were given gift items.
We have been receiving lot of amazing feedback and letters of appreciation from the communities and their leaders who are glad and grateful for the impact of the outreaches. Some also appreciated the Foundation with gifts. I have reproduced below an example we received from Akwa-Ibom State Outreach
IMMENSE APPRECIATION
On behalf of the Village Head, Chairman Village Council and the good people of ATAN EKA IKO & indeed neighbouring Villages, I most sincerely write to appreciate the Founder/CEO, ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator and especially all the VOLUNTEERS at the Community Outreach held yesterday in our Community
There's no gain saying that that's the very first time any outreach is ever held in our Community and it is record-breaking, considering the lasting impact it has created in our hearts
Our fervent prayers is that God will bless and replenish all the sponsors and volunteers IJN-AMEN
-OFONIME UDOBOT
Community Contact Person
We are so grateful to be of impact to several thousands of Nigerian children and looking forward to rounding off the May/June Outreaches. We are thankful for all our volunteers who have sacrificed a lot to be of impact to Nigerian children despite the current post-covid economic terrain in the country. We also appreciate the communities who are very receptive and accommodating ensuring the great turn-out of the children in the communities for the outreaches. More importantly, we want to thank all our donors whose generous donations made these outreaches possible. They would not have been possible without you. We look forward to your continuous partnership and support as we plan for our October 2022 Outreaches. Full pictures and videos are available on our social media pages, website and our ATP TV on YouTube. We also look forward to sharing more with you in our annual news magazine.
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