In Awka, Rotary marks World Hepatitis Day, gives free tests to 400 people

TO mark the World Hepatitis Day, Rotary Club of Awka Central, Rotaract Club of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Nnamdi Azikiwe University School of Pharmacy, Agulu (NAUSOPA), Awka GRA Community Base (CB) and Amawbia Community Base in Zone 12, District 9142 Rotary International jointly held road awareness of 3km walk from Aroma to UNIZIK Junction in collaboration with Anambra State Ministry of Health, and gave free hepatitis test to people.

While briefing newsmen at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) after an advocacy visit to the Managing Director of ABS, Chief Uche Nworah, the President, Rotary Club of Awka, Rtn Ngozi Nworji-Ekeh said the road walk was to mark the World Hepatitis Day, create a positive impact among people within the society just as polio plus was started by Rotary in 1986, by which Rotarians have been supporting its foundation, adding that the month of July is a month for support to the society.

According to her, “The essence of us to commemorate this day is because hepatitis is the more serious disease in our society. One can get it through different ways like using a syringe that has been used by a hepatitis patient, sexual intercourse, fluid of tattoo from a patient and so on” 

  “We use this opportunity to enlighten people. About 1.2million people across the world are Rotarians. We have more than 36,000 clubs in our district and 800 Rotarians in Anambra State.

  Speaking at UNIZIK Junction, where the test was caried out, Nworji-Ekeh urged everyone to participate in the free test to know their health status and get treated as soon as possible, adding that not less than 400 have benefited in the exercise.

  Also, the president, Rotary club of Awka Central, Rtn Onyekachi Micheal said the activity was to create public awareness about hepatitis, educate people about different types of hepatitis as well as its preventive measures to avoid further spread of the decease.

  “Rotations from Awka Central, Awka Club and Rotaractors from other clubs are conducting this free screening for people in Awka and its environs. Through this, people will know their status and be able to do the needful. We have placards, hand bills as public address system to educate the masses.

  Promise Belonwu and Mmesoma Okolocha from Rotaract Club of UNIZIK and NAUSOPA, respectively said the road work was a very good way of creating awareness to the society, adding that places like motherless babies homes and many more have been visited in order to let them benefit from numerous services of Rotary.

  President, Rotaract Club of UNIZIK, Rotaractor Glenn Onwudiwe noted that Community Base Rotaractors are the service arm of Rotary in order to support every activities done in the society, even as the efforts had earlier started from school.

  He pointed some impacts they have done like ensuring adequate cleanliness in the faculty, tress planting project at UNIZIK High School and so on.