PRESS RELEASE
160 INDIGENOUS DOCTORS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CONDUCT MEDICAL MISSION IN BAMA CAMP
Supported by Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiatives (PCNI)
The Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiatives (PCNI) has within the context of the expanded recovery plan for the Northeast, the Buhari Plan extended support to a medical intervention in Bama Camp.
Saturday 20th August 2016, Smile Mission Medical Health Care, a professional team of 160 Northeast indigenous doctors working with other volunteer health care providers commenced the adminstration of preventive and curative treatment and sensitization for the 30,000 IDP population. This was the second successful Smile Mission intervention in Bama Camp augumenting the health care interventions by other Agencies and institutions servicing the Camp.
The Smile Mission Medical Care Team provided treatment for common illnesses and specialized care such as ENT (ear, nose and throat) assessment and referrals, basic dental care, obstetrics and gynaecology complications. Other services rendered included psychosocial trauma counselling, sensitisation on sanitation and hygiene in the Camp. This exemplary indigenous contribution will be scaled up and linked with the timelines of other Camp health providers as well as replicated in other parts of Northeast.
The PCNI under the leadership of the Elder Statesman, Lt. General T.Y Danjuma Rtd. was represented at the Borno State organized event marking the World Humanitarian Day in Bama on Friday 18th August, 2016. Alhaji, Tijjani Tumsa, Vice Chairman PCNI explained the role and mandate of the PCNI as a coordinating intervention that will ensure coherent support to assist conflict affected people; engender peace building and recovery in the Northeast region of Nigeria.
Other strategic engagement sessions by the PCNI Vice Chair included those with the Executive Governor of Borno State His Excellency Kashim Shettima, the Emir and Elders of the Bama Community, the Theatre Commander, Colonel Luka and Heads of response agencies operating in the Bama IDP Camp. The consistent message was clarification on the coordinating role of the PCNI, its responsibility to identify and close gaps to ensure synergy and efficiency for urgent comprehensive support to the recovery of all Northeast communities.
In his engagement with the media, Alhaji Tumsa explained the plans to establish PCNI field offices starting with Maiduguri to enhance impact, efficiency, monitoring while providing a rallying point for all intervening agencies.
