Rotary Clubs in  Kaduna Launches Maternal, Child Health Project, Donates Medical Items to Angwan Rimi PHC

Rotary Clubs in  Kaduna Launches Maternal, Child Health Project, Donates Medical Items to Angwan Rimi PHC

By Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Rotary Clubs in Kaduna, have launched a Maternal and Child Health Care Project with the donation of medical supplies and other essential items to the Angwan Rimi Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

The initiative, undertaken as part of Rotary’s humanitarian services, is aimed at supporting healthcare delivery at the grassroots, particularly for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.

The gesture has received commendation from members of the community, who described it as timely and capable of complementing government efforts in improving access to quality healthcare.

Speaking at the launch, the District Governor of Rotary International District, Rotarian Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, commended the Rotary Clubs in Kaduna for the initiative and urged members to sustain their humanitarian interventions.

He also praised Rotary clubs across Kaduna State for contributing to community development in line with the organisation’s humanitarian mandate.

According to him, Rotary is a humanitarian, non-political and non-religious organisation committed to serving communities and supporting government efforts to improve the lives of citizens.

“The government cannot completely attend to the needs of the people in the community. That is why humanitarian organisations like Rotary have an important role to play in supporting communities.”

He explained that humanitarian service is a core responsibility of Rotary clubs globally, adding that the organisation has seven areas of focus, one of which is maternal and child health.

“It is our joy that we do this year in, year out. We support maternal and child health projects, and that is the main essence of what you are seeing today.”

Owonikoko urged the management of the health facility to ensure that the donated items are properly utilised and prioritised for people who need them.

He also encouraged members of the public to embrace Rotary and support its humanitarian activities, while calling on health workers to remain committed to providing quality services to members of the community.

The President of Rotary Club Kawo Kaduna and President of the Presidents of Rotary Clubs in Kaduna, Rotarian Ramatu Ibrahim, said the donation followed a needs assessment conducted at various primary healthcare centres.

She explained that the club first visited different health facilities to identify their specific needs before selecting Angwan Rimi PHC for the intervention.

According to her, the approach is designed to ensure that Rotary’s interventions address actual community needs and create sustainable impact.

“Most of the things we do is to find a way to support the government because the government cannot meet all the needs of the people. We are not politicians and we are not a religious organisation. What we do is to serve humanity and support the government.”

She noted that the project marked the club’s first project for the new Rotary year, which commenced on July 1, with maternal and child healthcare selected as the focus for the month.

Rotarian Ibrahim said the club would continue to educate women at primary healthcare centres on issues relating to pregnancy, maternal health and childcare.

She explained that such awareness programmes help reduce anxiety among expectant and nursing mothers by equipping them with relevant information on how to care for themselves and their children.

“We bring them together, go to different primary healthcare centres and talk to them. We teach them how they can take care of themselves as mothers, nursing mothers and pregnant women.”

As part of the programme, Rotarian Grace Sadiku delivered an awareness lecture during which she encouraged women to take their health seriously and undergo regular medical check-ups.

She particularly urged expectant and nursing mothers to attend antenatal and other recommended health appointments regularly to protect their health and promote the wellbeing of their babies and unborn children.

Also speaking, the representative of the health Secretary of Kaduna North, Mrs. Glory Aliyah, appreciated Rotary Club Kawo for supporting the health facility.

She emphasised the importance of regular medical check-ups and antenatal care, urging women to make proper use of healthcare facilities to ensure safe deliveries and healthy babies.

The Facility Manager of Angwan Rimi Primary Health Care Centre, Hajiya Hauwa Hassan, expressed appreciation to Rotary Club Kawo for the intervention.

She assured the club that the donated items would be put to proper use for the benefit of patients and the wider community.