- As VC Advocates Concerted Efforts to Curb Menace
The Institute of Global Health and Health Security (IGH&HS) of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) has commenced a sensitization program for the university community on climate change, held at its Otada campus.
The Director of the Institute, Professor Onyemocho Audu, explained that it is pertinent to sensitize the university and other communities in Benue South, Nigeria, on the prevalent infectious diseases, identify, diagnose, and make appropriate recommendations for the treatment of such ailments.
In a lecture outlining the activities of the Institute of Global Health, the Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) called on the public to improve hygiene and be wary of communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as emerging diseases.
The director thanked the FUHSO management for the opportunity to serve and for the support needed to excel in the job.
The host and Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Ujah, OON mni, NPOM, while welcoming participants, commended the Director of the Institute, Prof. Onyemocho Audu, for his impressive performance and organization of the event, adjudged to be the first of its kind.
The former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) stated that there is no community in Benue South without health-related cases. He hailed the Federal Government for establishing FUHSO, noting that the university is not only closer to the people but also addressing significant health, education, and economic issues.
The VC posited that research has shown that apart from the perennial water scarcity in Otukpo, Ogbadibo, and other LGAs in Benue South, access to clean water, waterborne diseases, cholera, and Lassa fever remain major health concerns in the communities.
Ujah, therefore, advocated for increased attention in the area to reduce death and poverty rates. He called for concerted efforts from the government, scholars, NGOs, and philanthropists to address these challenges. He described the sensitization activities planned by the institute as timely and essential.
In a presentation on "Exploring Climate Change Health Nexus - The Way Forward for the Global South," the Deputy Director of IGH&HS, Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene, urged everyone to avoid open defecation, littering, drying foods on public roads, and deforestation, among other practices.
There were goodwill messages from the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Stephen Abah; Bursar of the University, Mr. John Aba, FCNA; Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Oladapo Shittu; and Ag. Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, FUHSTHO, Dr. Yemisi Anebi.
The event featured a question-and-answer session with participants and facilitators, during which speakers and the audience expressed satisfaction with the organization.
