Clinic
By Christian Njoku
Calabar, June 14, 2018 (NAN) The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWA), Cross River chapter, has opened a clinic in Calabar to cater for the health needs of women in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries from government circles and the private sector attended the inauguration of the “Well Woman Clinic” on Thursday in Calabar.
Speaking to NAN after the inauguration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, expressed delight that the project had become a reality.
Asibong said that following the partnership with the association, the ministry donated the building for the take-off of the clinic.
“We are witnessing the opening of the Women Wellness Clinic; this is something that I have been dreaming of for so long.
“Today, it is a reality; yes, this place was donated by the Ministry of Health; it is one of our complexes and we are glad to be partnering the MWA.”
The commissioner said the centre was called `Wellness Clinic’ because people did not need to be sick to come to the clinic.
She said the clinic was also a screening centre so that ailments could be discovered and treated early, adding “prevention is better than cure”.
She said maternal and child care were very important to the present administration in the state.
According to her, the state government is supporting the MWA to ensure the improvement of maternal healthcare.
“We have pledged our support; I have told the president of MWA to list the medical equipment they need so that I can give it to the governor and his wife who have been very supportive of women’s health in the state,” she said.
The Director-General, Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Beta Edu, expressed the hope that the collaboration between the agency and the MWA would expand and touch the lives of everybody in the state.
“The woman in the rural area may not be able to transport herself to Calabar to access the care of MWA.
“The clinic that is starting up here today can also start in the north, another one in the central part of the state to reach out to more women.”
Edu said that due to the vulnerability of women, finding ways to care for them was similar to taking care of the home.
Responding, the President of the MWA Cross River chapter, Dr. Jacinta Okoi-Obuli, said that the clinic would conduct tests for breast cancer and pap smear, among other tests.
Okoi-Obuli said that with N1,000, women could access quality healthcare at the centre for a year.
“We have a doctor on ground for four days of the week but nurses would always be available, consultants would come in every Monday; we would have more days as more people come out.”
She appealed to the state government to allocate land to the MWA to build a permanent site since the present location of the clinic was temporary.
“We are asking for a permanent site, ambulance and bus services.
“The bus services would enable us carry these services to the hills of Obanliku and other interior areas where people are in dire need of healthcare.”
She further urged religious leaders, government and private organisations as well as individuals to assist the MWA in Cross River to touch the lives of Nigerians. (NAN)
CBN/DOE/NKO
============
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Nkechi Okoronkwo