WED MARCH 05 2025-theGBJournal| Helpster Charity US Inc, an international tech-driven nonprofit, has provided medical aid for displaced communities in Northern Nigeria through a healthcare outreach programme, organised in line with its mission of improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations across Africa and Asia.
The medical outreach was conducted recently at the Abujan Mai Mala Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) Camp in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria.
The camp, established 12 years ago, is home to victims of Boko Haram insurgency, and those displaced by floods.
The IDPs live in extreme poverty, with limited access to basic necessities like food, water and healthcare.
Being an organisation focused on improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations across Africa and Asia, Helpster partnered with the Yobe State Specialist Hospital in Damaturu to conduct a medical outreach in the camp.
The medical team (4 doctors, 2 nurses, 2 pharmacists, 2 medical records specialists, 1 lab technician) provided healthcare services to the residents of the camp- screening, diagnosis, treatment and health sensitisation.
315 people(218 children and 97 women) got screened and treated for various conditions such as malaria, respiratory tract infections, ear/eye infections, diarrheal diseases, infestations and skin disorders.
Pregnant women received antenatal care services, including ultrasound scans. Seven beneficiaries(3 women, 4 children) were referred to the Yobe State Specialist Hospital for more intensive care.
Helpster Country Manager, Dr Perpetua Mbanefo noted that healthcare inequality is still prevalent in Nigeria and some other African and Asian countries, and it is even more drastic in conflict zones where people have been displaced, making it extremely difficult for them to get the medicare they need.
“We had a great turnout at the camp, and we’re deeply grateful to Dr Muhammad Aji, Head of Clinical Services, Yobe State Specialist Hospital; Dr Adamu Muazu; other volunteers; and the Yobe State Government for their support.
We’re delighted to have impacted the camp residents, and call on other organisations to support the IDPs as they’re in need of medical aid and other forms of humanitarian support to survive the challenges they currently grapple with in their camps in Northern Nigeria.
“In addition to easing access to life-saving medicare for vulnerable populations through innovative technology, Helpster, through these outreaches, takes medicare to the remote communities where healthcare is critically needed”, Dr Mbanefo said.
One of the volunteers, Dr Adamu Muazu, while expressing gratitude to Helpster, said: “Life in the Abujan Mai Mala IDP Camp is a daily struggle for survival.
Medical aid is essential to the IDPs’ survival, and organisations like Helpster have provided this support through their recent medical outreach. However, more needs to be done to alleviate their suffering”.
Helpster started its medical outreach programme in 2023, and has impacted over 5000 children across Africa and Asia. Last year, it conducted medical outreaches in Nigeria, Kenya and Bangladesh.
Helpster Charity US Inc is a global charity organisation bridging the gap in healthcare access by connecting vulnerable children in need of vital medicare to those willing to fund their treatment through an app and a website. Join the global movement of saving lives here.
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