News Rendezvous

A Non-Governmental Organisation, The Sustainable Education and
Livelihoods Foundation (SELF)
has set the 4th of September 2024 as a one-day Health and Well-being Empowerment program to be held in Pella, a suburb in Hong local government in Adamawa state.

The Health and Well-being and medical outreach is designed to educate locals on best health practices to support the community members in preventing and dealing with common health challenges aimed at improving residents’ quality of life and giving them a fighting chance against preventable illnesses.

This was made known by the Executive Director of the Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF), Hyellagiziya Naiwa Fakuta, during a media briefing ahead of the event, over the weekend in Yola, Adamawa State.

Hyellagiziya said, it is within the rights of every Nigerian to have access to quality healthcare as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended and consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and that it is based on that premise that SELF has made it a duty to reach the Hong community with this critical intervention to Support the efforts of government and other critical stakeholders with with this life-changing and life -saving intervention.

While addressing the press Hyellagiziya said, “It is a great privilege to address you on the significance of this sensitisation and medical outreach program in Pella, a small community under the Hong local government area (LGA) in Adamawa State.

“This event represents a pivotal step in our collective journey towards improving access to and promoting awareness of preventive health services among our people. It is also a testament to our unwavering commitment to refining people’s quality of life by empowering and strengthening local partnerships.

“The Sustainable Education and
Livelihoods Foundation (SELF) Nigeria works to empower communities in Adamawa State through education, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives.

“The implementation of this exercise symbolises a watershed moment in our organisation’s efforts to address the vital health requirements of citizens, in this case, the Pella community and its residents.

“Our collaboration with Pella Women in Health Primary Health Care Centre further demonstrates our fidelity towards ensuring the optimal utilisation of existing healthcare infrastructure in the country and beyond.

“Pella, like many other communities in Nigeria, faces several health challenges.
Each year, thousands of lives are lost due to a lack of access to basic health services, proper knowledge of preventive measures, and poor healthcare delivery.”

Further, she adds that her organisation seeks to improve the quality of life for citizens from Pella to other communities in the state. She said, “The 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees the right to health, which prompted the Federal Government to develop the National Health Promotion Policy (NHPP) in 2006 to strengthen the National Health System and foster the capacity for protective, preventive, restorative, and rehabilitative healthcare for all citizens of the country.

“SELF, therefore, conceptualised this medical campaign to help reduce the outbreak of preventable illnesses and their negative health outcomes in the hope that these efforts will bridge the existing gaps and empower individuals to take actions that enhance their health status and overall well-being.

“It also aimed at complementing various government and development partners’ initiatives to accelerate the provision of sustainable health and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3), which calls for ensuring everyone in the state and elsewhere has access to good health and well-being. Additionally, it is a major step towards improving the health results and empowering the Pella inhabitants.

“Moving forward, we will continue to uphold the values that drive our work. At SELF, our motto: “Dare to Care,” embodies our commitment to go beyond the norm and actively engage in meaningful humanitarian service.

“We encourage everyone to embrace this spirit of care, to uplift one another, and to invest in humanitarian efforts that foster healthier and more resilient communities.

“By doing so, we can create a society where compassion and service are the bedrock of lasting change.”

The Executive Director of SELF decried the poor health situation in the country and the need for the government and other critical bodies to do more while making a clarion call to members of the community to take advantage of the medical outreach to improve their quality of life. She said, “We are at a tipping point in our history when it comes to addressing our people’s critical health needs. This lifesaving effort, we believe, will have an impact on the national health landscape as well as the Pella community’s future.

“I encourage all members of this community, particularly women and young people, to take advantage of this noble initiative to contribute to a healthier and more prosperous future for all.

“Thank you for your dedication and commitment to fostering a healthy and sustainable society.

“Together, let us harness the power of collaboration and determination to drive positive change and set a precedent for responsible stewardship in the country’s health sector.”