The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) plans to procure a mobile clinic worth $500,000 (about N80 million) to enhance healthcare delivery in the country, an official has said.
Dele Babade, the Pastor in charge of RCCG’s FCT 4 Province, who said this Thursday in Abuja, noted that the move would also enhance healthcare delivery in the rural areas.
Babade who spoke to a team of experts from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) said the clinic would be the first in a number of mobile clinics to be purchased.
“The church set out on the project as part of its Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society. We will have volunteer medical personnel who will give healthcare services, and time wasted on trying to access healthcare delivery will be prevented,’’ he said.
The official said the mobile clinic would be available and operational in Nigeria before the end of 2014.
He, however, urged donor agencies and corporate bodies to collaborate to help in bringing more of such facility to Nigerians who have no access to healthcare delivery.
Also at the occasion, Jim Kitch, the Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, ADI Mobile Health, said the clinic could be the solution to some of the healthcare challenges in Nigeria.
He said the impact the clinic would have on the lives of people was enormous as it would guarantee quick access to healthcare.
“We understand the need for access to quality healthcare and the impact of not having that healthcare and how it limits people’s ability to live and work.
“It’s going to be a combination clinic for primary health, medical, dental and vision screening. It will also have educational components in oral healthcare and nutrition.
“As the programme expands, we will train community healthcare workers on how to identify local partners and sustainable points of access,’’ Kitch said.
He said the clinic, which will be the first in Africa by ADI Mobile Health, was already operational in the US, the Middle East and Canada.
Ari Mohammed, FCDA’s Director, Economic Planning Research and Statistics, said the administration also had a similar scheme called “Mailafiya’’.
He said the scheme which began in 2009 provides comprehensive healthcare using off-road trucks equipped with essential drugs, vaccines and laboratory equipment.
According to him, the scheme caters for clusters in the six area councils of the FCT by operating through 24 teams which visit each cluster twice a week.
Mohammed however, commended the RCCG mobile clinic project, saying it was a therapeutic and all-encompassing facility which would help in not only the rural areas but the urban areas also.
“We consider it a good forum, not for the FCT alone but for Nigeria and the entire West Africa. It is a move that will help us attain the next level in healthcare delivery.’