It has been an exciting couple of months at our modular clinics. Don’t be quick to forget that the modular clinic initiative was born out of the desire to proffer health care to underserved women and children in communities. We have undoubtedly made appreciable progress with integrating modern conventional maternity practice with a traditional institution. The Julia Burke and The Godwin Onyema Maternity Centres have proven to be an efficient hybrid of approved maternal and infant health practice and culturally accepted traditional birth practice. So far, we have nurtured this vision and watched it not only come to life but also take flight with tender yet sturdy wings.
The five legs of our modular clinic initiative is a path we are yet to stray from as we are still in the business of doing the following:
- A clean, equipped micro maternal care facility
- Operated by a trained traditional birth Attendant
- Observing good management protocols
- Held accountable with periodic inspection
- Collaborating with medical officers to optimize the value for the community
Another feather was added to our cap recently as John and Terry Levine Family Centre was commissioned and joined the league of our modular clinics in Enugu State. The modular clinic which is modelled after the previous clinics but with few adjustments was donated to a TBA, Mrs Ani Sarah to foster health care practices for the women in Isiagu Ugwuaji Community.
The epoch-making event was graced with the presence of distinguished guests from the Ministry of Health, our partners, the community, and a lot of volunteers; as good news can never stay hidden.
Members of Isiagu Ugwuaji community in Enugu State were beside themselves with joy and excitement as the sight of the modular clinic seemed like nothing short of a miracle. The evidence was palpable in their expressions and occasional chants of gratitude raised for GEANCO Foundation. The recipient, Mrs Ani Sarah, could hardly stay at a place for more than a minute as the reality of the good fortune that befell her was a lot to take in.
Our partners were also on ground to make the event more memorable for the women. There was the free Family Planning and Cervical cancer screening sessions provided by Mrs Charity Ibe (RN/RM), CEO of Redeemer’s Hospital and Maternity; free HIV screening; a lecture on the Importance of menstrual hygiene and free Albendazole, Vitamin A and Multiple multivitamins administration to women and children all provided by The Daniel Iroegbu Foundation. Huggies diapers were also available to add more colour to the already colourful event and had the women smiling home with enhanced knowledge on the right way to use diapers in addition to the distribution of free diapers as well.
This initiative has gone beyond moments of training, knowledge, happiness, supervision and customer relations to be a full-blown movement. Our vision remains to reposition health care delivery to underserved communities by leveraging existing and culturally accepted institutions. This movement is not bound to a place but steadily and surely spreading to as many communities as possible.
We are not where we want to be, but we are no longer where we used to be. We are marching into subsequent months with an even greater resolve to do more, give more and be more!
GEANCO Foundation couldn’t have come this far without your unwavering support, we hope to see more of it as we progress.