For communities living in flood prone areas, access to basic resources and opportunities is a perpetual challenge. The challenges are prevalent across the creeks in Delta State, and other areas.
ECEWS collaborated with Delta State Government with funding support from the US-CDC to repair maritime boats that were previously in a disuse due to their bad condition, to support Community Care and Treatment (CCT) in the “Integrated Delivery of Health Services” I & II. Two ambulance boats earlier procured with funding from The U.S Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention(CDC), were revitalized in response to the needs. A turnaround maintenance was carried out with the interior refurbished, the engine repaired and the exterior repainted.
The 25th of January 2024 marked a significant milestone as it witnessed the unveiling of rebranded boats with an inaugural journey to Obotebe, a nestled Community in the creeks of Burutu LGA to support the Department of Public Health-led Integrated Community Health Outreach.
The boats, once neglected, now serve as mobile health conveyors to over 500 men women and children, young and old from 27 villages, communities, and fishing settlements in and around Obotebe in Burutu LGA. Communities can now receive healthcare services from NCD screening, HIV Testing Services, Nutritional assessment, NTD (Neglected Tropical Diseases) Prophylaxis, Eye Health, TB screening & evaluation to pharmacy services, Reproductive Health services, amongst others.
Henry UDENENWU (ECEWS) notes that ‘this has helped to increase trust between the health workers and the community members because of enhanced capacity to provide essential medical services to the underserved population in the hard-to-reach areas of the state”
In riverine areas like Delta, boats are not only an important means of transport but also provide a life-saving link that ensures access to needed health facilities. Ensuring ownership and commitment from community members, is important. As principal caretakers of the boats, ECEWS is working with the community to embrace the responsibility of ensuring that the boats are properly utilized and adequately maintained.
