Provost, COE Ankpa launches GYB medical outreach for 600 rural households »

The Provost of Kogi state College of Education, Ankpa, Dr. Mohammed Kebiru Ibrahim yesterday launched a free medical outreach in Okaba, Ojoko districts of Ankpa local government area of the state.

Ibrahim said that the outreach tagged “GYB Community Medical Outreach” was his pet project aimed at giving back to the society. He said the choice of December for the outreach is significant because it is his birth month, hence the decision to mark this year’s birthday with the outreach aimed at bridging the rural healthcare, and nutritional gap.

The Provost appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello for the opportunity to serve at the helms of COE Ankpa, adding that the modest achievements recorded by the institution so far can be attributed to the free room to operate provided by the governor and his commitment to advancing the education sector of the state.

He said the health care program is packed to benefit a minimum of six hundred rural community households along three major intervention lines which included medical examination, distribution of free drugs and other items to pregnant women; women with under 5 years children and young girls. These items include treated mosquito nets, food supplements, antibacterial soaps and detergents, baby wipes/pampers and sanitary pads.

The third intervention line is the Train-the-trainer program for women, and girls. They will be taught hands-on how to produce vital household products of economic and nutritional importance using available local resource. Some of these items include soya bean milk powder, cooking condiments like turmeric and roasted garnished peanuts

“The medical team on ground comprises of well experienced Doctors, Nurses, Lab Technicians, Pharmacists and Nutritionists.” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Yahaya Bello who declared the outreach open commended the Dr. Ibrahim for the initiative and other outstanding accomplishments since his appointment as the Provost of COE, Ankpa.

The Governor who was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Zakari Usman, said his administration has made significant gains in improving the health sector of the state, stressing that Kogi currently has the best tertiary health institution in the country with latest state of the art equipments. The Reference Hospital in Okene, he added, would end medical tourism in the state and country.

In their goodwill messages, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Usman Ogbo along with other dignitaries who attended the event, commended the Provost, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim for giving back to the people at the grassroots. They described the Provost as a selfless and innovative leader who is committed to community development.