An NGO, Leader Joe 1808 Foundation, has extended medical outreach against scabies infection to over 1,000 residents of Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Scabies is a skin condition that causes itching and rash due to infestations of microscopic mites and spreads through physical contact.
The Pathway News recalls that on December 3rd, 2023, a military drone on a routine operation erroneously bombed Tudun Biri community during a Maulud Nabiyyi celebration (the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH), killing over 80 villagers.
The Kaduna State Government has since commenced documentation to enable compensation to the owners of lands designated for the rebuilding project.
In July, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the rebuilding of the village under the Nigerian Government Pulako Initiative.
Mr. Theck Makeri, the State Coordinator of the organization, who spoke during the exercise, said the event was conducted in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
According to Makeri, after a needs assessment of the area, scabies infection was identified as an outbreak in Tudun Biri.
“Unfortunately, scabies is related to personal hygiene, and if you look at the community, it lacks basic amenities that would ensure good hygiene,” Makeri said. “The infection has affected a high number of women and children, so there was a need for medical intervention.”
He added that the 1808 Foundation, one of whose core mandates is to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable individuals, groups, and communities, saw the need to assist Tudun Biri, especially in light of the tragic incident the community witnessed last year.
“We thought it wise to reach out to them through medical intervention and also distribute food items,” Makeri stated. “From the flyer, we tagged the program ‘Feed a Thousand’, and this is our target, to meet the needs of at least a thousand vulnerable individuals in the community.”
Residents like Mrs. Saratu Samuel, who benefited from the outreach, applauded the organization’s timely gesture. “I am happy two of my children received medical care free of charge, which would have cost me quite a fortune,” she said.
Another resident, Malam Idris Addo, commended the effort and pleaded that the same gesture be extended to other neighboring communities that lost family members during last year’s tragic incident.
The Pathway News reports that a team of health workers at the outreach conducted free medical tests for the residents. They also distributed drugs for malaria, typhoid, and blood pressure (BP), while 300 bags of rice, each weighing 3kg, along with Maggi and salt, were shared.
