In a bid to help alleviate the plights of older persons in the country, a Non Governmental Organisations, “The Pause Old Peoples’ Home” has organized a free medical check/treatment and distribution of food items to older persons from Mabush area of the nation’s Capital, Abuja.
The President of the Home, Barrister Mrs Hauwa Umar Jibrin during the outreach at Cittee Estate Jabi Abuja, said, it is to commemorate the maiden edition of National day of older persons in Nigeria following presidential pronouncement last year that 5th October of every year should be set aside to celebrate the elderly in the country .
The event also witnessed distribution of variety of raw food items to the elderly people to cushion the effect of the harsh economic realities.
Medical Checkup and Treatment session
Mrs Jibrin who explained that the decision to embark on care for the elderly stemmed from the fact that everyone would one day get old, and experiences garnered outside the shores of the country, was strongly of the opinion that the senior citizens must not be left unattended to.
She lamented that alot of elderly people from experience were living in bondage, isolation, loneliness, lack of adequate care and in most cases starved to death, a development she described as worrisome and unacceptable.
According to her, to be old is a blessing that comes from God alone, hence older people in our communities and by extension,across the nation should be celebrated and cherished not stigmatized.
In her words: “the elderly should be cared for. They should not be allowed to go begging. Now, the population of the elderly is increasing, without corresponding increase in their Welfare,they won’t have social security or financial autonomy because they have no strength to cater for themselves. As NGO we are doing the little we can, but the government can also help us.”
Cross-session of Older Persons who participate at the occasion
Mrs Jibrin reiterated the commitment of “the Pause Old Peoples’ Home” commitment to continue to organize quarterly programme for the elderly in line with its mission and vision to take as many older people as possible from living a life of destitute.
“We offer them free test, treatment..some of them with serious ailments we refer to hospital and follow up. Normally we use to organize walk show for them in a garden , but for the rains. Some are retired, some never went to school. They really need help”
In his words of encouragement, the Grand Patron of the Home, Umar Gambo Jibrin who vowed to always care for the elderly as long as he lives, appealed to Government at all levels to rehabilitate existing Primary Health Care Centers to be more functional as well as establish new Centers in some rural communities that has none.
The Patron also stressed the need for Government to make public buildings elderly friendly to access; and subsidize the cost of drugs for the elderly across the country.
“Whatever opportunity we have and able to execute, it gives one joy because you are helping humanity, you are uplifting their livelihood and you are also helping the Government.
“Am not satisfied with the welfare of the elderly in the country. certainly, there’s alot that Government needs to do. The society should give back to the elderly persons. For as long as we live, am motivated by the love of God . We will continue to do it” Jibrin said.
Contributing, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, FCT Chapter, Comrade Annah Daniel hailed the Pause Old People’s Home for beaming their searchlight of care towards the older persons.
She stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in showing concern for the older people’s welfare.
Her words: “It is one aspect that the society is neglecting. But it is Very necessary. Aside poverty, the totality of their welfare, particularly in their health should be looked into.
“The screening and the treatment is a positive development in the loves of the old ones and is a thing that I will encourage others to support ”
On their parts, It was an avalanche of encomium from beneficiaries that received the food items and the free medical test on blood sugar, BP Check, Malaria and thyphoid and drugs to get the ailments treated.
Mrs Zainab Usman, James Kusase and Victoria Onah could not hide there joy; hence, they thanked God and prayed for more blessings and sound health for the Organizers.
The occasion witnessed the presentation of an Award of excellent and recognition to the founder of “The Pause Old People’s Home” from a group in Niger State.
Highpoint of the event was health talk show by a medical expert on the need for them to take their medication seriously, simple exercises, walk within the house premises and the distribution of items such as rice, beans, spaghetti, sugar,salt, beverages, and condiments package in a black bagco bag for each participants.
Recall that 1st october every year is set aside globally as international day of older persons by the United Nations assembly to celebrate the senior citizens