FOLLOWING challenges with limited access to health, the Brain Health Initiative of Nigeria (BHIN), a nongovernmental organisation, in collaboration with other doctors provided over 2500 free telephone consultations on all health-related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Temitope Farombi, who is spearheading the free telephone consultations, said that the initiative which commenced 21st April involves offering free consultations to its callers on different aspects of medicine.
These include dental care, children health, medical conditions, medication advice, accident and trauma cases, obstetrics and gynaecology. Others are wellness and wellbeing advice as well as mental health and geriatric care.
Dr Farombi said the services are provided through 10 different Glo lines including, 08057802243(mental health cases), 08057801423 (children’s health), 08057802999(medical/geriatric cases) and 08057798627 (obstetrics and gynaecology) and 08057801596 (medication use advice).
“We notice that a lot of people are afraid to come out to the hospital even though they are sick. Even the non-COVID-19 cases whose symptoms are similar to coronavirus infection are turned back and they are not getting adequate attention.
“We observe that a lot of people resorted to self-medication and all sorts of things. These have contributed to an increased morbidity and mortality rate in communities,” she said.
Dr Farombi said BHIN brought together 10 doctors to offer free medical health telephone consultations as its contribution to the COVD-19 pandemic response.
Meanwhile, BRIN in its COVID-19 awareness and education campaign to the Hausa community in Sabo area of Ibadan has urged for cleaning of hands with soap and water before praying to get protected from COVID-19.
During the campaign, food items, fruits, face masks, bottled water, kegs of washing liquid and buckets with taps were donated to the community.
Dr Farombi stated that although it might be difficult for them to observe social distancing, washing of hands with soap and water always as well as the wearing of face masks would still be helpful to prevent contracting the infection.
The medical expert said those without face masks could use handkerchiefs or scarf to prevent picking droplets through their nose and mouth, as well as avoid touching their faces, mouth and noses with their hands.
Jerima of Ibadan land, Hausa community, Alhaji Danjuma Yakubu; Alhaji Basiru Yakubu and Ciroma of Ibadan land, Alhaji Isa Bawa, representatives of the community, expressed appreciation to the group for their intervention.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
