The Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and partners distributed dignity kits to girls and conducted a medical outreach for pregnant women at the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Makurdi.

The outreach was conducted in collaboration with the United Vessels of Love (U-VOL) Foundation, a U.S.-based non-governmental organisation and RCN Medical Centre.

Speaking during the outreach, Taiwo Omolayo of RCN Medical Centre said the programme was conducted monthly and among the services provided were sensitisation on reproductive health, distribution of dignity kits, and deworming for school-aged children.

Other activities of the outreach included quarterly distribution of clothing and conduct of surgical services, including emergency care.

Ms Omolayo said RCN Medical Centre had sustained its surgical outreach for the past two years as part of efforts to provide quality healthcare to all, irrespective of status.

Eunice Tachia, representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Theresa Ikwue, urged the women to disclose their health conditions fully to medical personnel to enable them to receive appropriate treatment.

She assured them of the ministry’s continued commitment to supporting initiatives that improve access to healthcare and protection of the dignity of women, children and other vulnerable persons in IDP camps in Benue.

The intervention followed the ministry’s earlier participation in a free medical outreach organised by the foundation at the International Market area in Makurdi.

The medical team provided antenatal health education, urging pregnant women to maintain iron-rich diets, seek professional healthcare and avoid self-medication.

The women were also educated on danger signs during pregnancy, including swollen feet, persistent headaches, a swollen face and dizziness, and were advised to seek immediate medical attention if such symptoms occur.

The outreach also featured blood pressure checks, laboratory tests, medical consultations and the distribution of prescribed drugs to beneficiaries.

(NAN)