By Nnedinma Okeke
In an event which aims to build a healthy resilient older population, inform, educate and enhance the functional capacities of senior citizens, the elderly in Anambra State has carried out Healthy Ageing Promotions and Senior Citizens Walk for Life activities.
The activities the held at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Ezi Egege, Amawbia was organised by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in collaboration with the NSCC National Stakeholders Consultative Forum On Ageing (NNSCFOA) and Anambra State Government.
It was held simultaneously in the three senatorial zones of the State: Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area (LGA) for Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Awkuzu Oyi LGA and Nnewi North LGA for Anambra North and South Senatorial zones respectively.
The program was geared toward promoting sustainability in creation of opportunities for collective learning, acting, attitudinal change about ageing, older persons’ continuing engagement in life style modification, and work schemes within communities.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche during the event at Amawbia noted that the Ministry was working toward sustainably mainstreaming elderly care into government policies and law.
“In the Gov. Soludo’s administration, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has been doing much for the elderly in communities, and for the Special Duties Ministry we are working toward mainstreaming the elderly, putting their needs as priority, while looking at their healthcare and social needs.
“These we are doing through social engagement, private individuals/ communities’ engagement to ensure a multi sectoral approach in care for the elderly as they are very important part of the society and should not be neglected,” she explained.
The Commissioner represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. David Okpokwasili, emphasized that the event which was also ongoing in other States of the Federation, was to raise awareness and sensitize the elderly on how to live healthy.
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm Chisom Uchem, educated the elderly on the need for daily exercise, drinking water, sleeping and healthy eating.
She encouraged them to always have their health checked in order to live more better and healthy lives. While noting that Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the State was open to all; the elderly inclusive, she urged health workers to always educate the elderly on their health status.
The Mayor of Awka South LGA, Prince Chinedu Okafor graced the event with donation of drugs and medical/hospital equipments to the Ezi Egege PHC, Amawbia where the activity was held.
He felicitated with the elderly on their healthy ageing promotions and Senior Citizens walk for life activities, explaining that the drugs donated were to be given free of charge to those who visit the health facility.
The Chairman, National Stakeholders Consultative Forum On Ageing (NNSCFOA), Anambra State, Iyom Josephine Anenih while coordinating the event encouraged the elderly to care and ensure they take daily walk which was essential for healthy living.
The event had in attendance, the Director National Board for Technical Education, South East Zonal Office, Dr Ngozi Margaret Okelekwe and it featured health education segment by Dr Ifeoma Josephine Ezejiofor.
Supporting Organisations/Associations of the activity includes; WHO, ASPHCDA, Nigerian Red Cross, APHPN, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Coalition of Societies for Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), and Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).
Others are; Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation (ADF), Rotaract Club of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awkuzu Ibilibeogada Senior Citizens, Gifted Love Community Specialist Hospital Otolo Nnewi, Elderly care and Health center.
Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
