Ark Missions Nigeria

ACTS OF RADICAL KINDNESS

With a maximum crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day, Nigeria ranks as Africa's largest producer of crude oil and the sixth largest oil producing country in the world (Google.com), yet the poverty level in Nigeria has risen to almost 100 million people living on less than a $1 (£0.63) a day, despite some economic growth, statistics have shown. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 60.9% of Nigerians in 2010 were living in "absolute poverty" - this figure had risen from 54.7% in 2004. It is predicted, by the NBS, that this rising trend is likely to continue. This “Africa's biggest oil producer” has been tainted by accusations of corruption…

• 1980: 17.1 million; 1985: 34.7 million; 1992: 39.2 million; 1996: 67.1 million; 2004: 68.7 million

• 2010: 112.47 million

Nigerians living in Poverty Data; Source: Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics (BBC Online Africa News; 13 Feb 2012)

Given the aforementioned statistics, it is no surprise then, that Nigeria was ranked low in the recently released global healthcare ranking. The state of healthcare delivery in the country is appalling and there has been too much national lamentation over the situation for too long. The report merely reinforced what is already known, over which, calls have been made for government to make improvements, without much success.

The first global healthcare ranking, which was based on a qualification of personal access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015 placed Nigeria at the 140th position…. (Guardian.ng online news 06 June 2017).

With millions having no means to access proper healthcare in Nigeria and the government unwilling to make a concerted effort to reverse this situation, the responsibility of caring for the poor, sick and vulnerable has often fallen on NGOs, philanthropists and like-minded individuals. One of such is Ann Ebere-Anaba, of Ark (Acts of Radical Kindness) Missions of Ireland, who organised a medical mission to reach “…the unreached in Ukwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State…” in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Ann, who had previously paid a visit to Nigeria and was appalled at the dismal state of healthcare available, especially, to the poor, swore to do something to make a difference in the lives of those who needed it most.

The 3-day outreach, which was financed by friends, church members, fundraising opportunities such as bag packing, took place earlier in 2017 and consisted of a team of 14 medical doctors specialising in Optometry, Paediatrics, and general practice, 2 laboratory scientists, 2 public health officers and several volunteers. The team offered health screenings, gave free treatments and gave out over 500 reading glasses. The team also held health awareness sessions, where people were taught the importance of seeking medical help and continuous health checks to monitor their blood pressure levels, which was prevalent. The team hopes to perform minor surgeries along with additional services such as dental services on future trips as these were not possible on this occasion due to limited resources. Ann Ebere-Anaba, with her team, are confident that with more funds they “…will be able to pay for hospital bills of some of the referred cases, who presented with serious cases that couldn’t be handled by the outreach project as some children were diagnosed with Scabies, Lipoma, Inguinal hernia and massive hydroceles.

This was what the SitiTalkTV team gleaned from the event.

Watch this video "Acts of Kindness" by SitiTalkTV.

SitiTalkTV showcases the amazing non-profit work being done by Ark Missions in Nigeria, West Africa.