As part of activities marking its 6th anniversary, Xultra House, an education and humanitarian organization, has conducted a free medical outreach for residents of Bayside Community in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The outreach, which attracted hundreds of residents, was organized by the Medical Unit under the Human Development Division of the organization.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director of Xultra House, Mr. Willoughby Effa O'Dwyer, said the outreach was borne out of the organization's commitment to humanity.
"Xultra House is an organization that focuses on education and humanitarian services. This October, we are celebrating our 6th anniversary. As part of the anniversary celebration, we are reaching out to people in one of the most vulnerable communities to offer a free medical outreach," he said.
"Today we are here, we have a large number of people who have come out to benefit from this opportunity. This is just to express love for humanity," O'Dwyer added.
Giving insight into why Bayside was chosen, the Consultant to the organization, Pastor William Edet, said the community remains one of the most vulnerable and often neglected due to security concerns.
"Having been here, and as a Pastor, I am saddled with the issues and the challenges of this place. Being a kind of vulnerable community, I said let's take it here," he said.
"Secondly, we had to choose here because a whole lot of persons who are not really acclimatized to this environment are scared because of security threats and all of that. But being a resident of this community for some time, I've been in an NGO, I've served as a pastor here, so I'm kind of used to the community and I said let's come and have our work done here. And I think we've had a quality result," Pastor Edet stated.
He also expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, whom he described as a senior brother, for his fatherly counsel and support which made the outreach possible.
For many beneficiaries, the outreach was their first time accessing proper medical screening.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Abigail Udo, said the programme was both timely and enlightening.
"Sometimes outreaches like this are hard to find, especially in a community like this. Most times you find them outside, not in rural areas like this. Most people who stay here, especially elderly people, really do not know their health status, HIV, Hepatitis, most of them are even hearing about it for the first time," she said.
"They had a pep talk today on HIV and AIDS, on Hepatitis B and C. They told us how it can be contracted. I know a lot of people before now always thought HIV can only be contracted through sexual intercourse, but today they have also learned that a mother can transmit it to her unborn baby. This is a very wonderful thing that they have brought to the community," she added.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Effiong Bassey, expressed gratitude for the free services.
"I am happy that today this medical team has visited Bayside to give us a sense of belonging. All the tests I have done here are for free, something I would have spent nothing less than N20,000 to do outside. I thank the organization and the government that has sent them here and I pray God to bless them," he said.
The outreach featured free screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, health education and general medical consultations.
Nakanda Iyadim
