A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) First Best Domiciliary Home Care World has launched a programme to take care of aged persons in Anambra state.
ANN gathered that the programme is designed to take of the aged people in the state, who are abandoned by their children.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Host a United States of America-based clinical psychologist, Prof Kanayo Ofodile described old age as a death sentence in Nigeria.
Prof Ofodile called for a re-orientation of the younger generation on the need to see the care of the elderly as an obligation.
According to Ofodile, “Many children had abandoned their aged parents without care and compassion in the country. I reside in a civilized country, the U.S. and we see and learn how they care so much about old people. People who are vulnerable and cannot cater for themselves anymore.
“But it is a sad situation in our country Nigeria. It looks like old age is a death sentence in our society. Children abandon their aged parents and relatives without care.
“Many aged persons are homeless, abandoned, lonely, unhealthy and unkempt, hence, the establishment of this organisation. There is a need to start prioritizing care for the elderly.
“We will be going around the state to pick up and cater to abandoned aged persons and our trained social officers will be going to give home care to those who crave such services.
“We will be applying spirituality, clinical formulation and reasoning to improve the lives of the aged. Our society should not abandon the elderly, they are still very relevant.”
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who welcomed the partnership the organization is providing through the home care services, said the state has data on the aged population, adding that in addition to existing ones, more robust packages are being planned for their wellbeing.
Chairman of the event Arch. Mike Ikemefuna Nwafor In his speech said that the programme was aimed at setting a template for what should happen to the aged segment of the population.
According to Nwafor “It is sad that the aged in civilised countries aged gracefully and successfully while their counterparts in Nigeria are ageing in abandonment and frustration.
“Old age is a stage of life that we will all get to. It does not take a century to get there, it is just a matter of time. So, we need to plan and prepare to do better in taking care of the elderly in our society, ” he said.
Director of Care Services of the NGO Mr. Ekene Mbah said that over 80 per cent of the elderly in the society lack good domestic care and spend their old age through pain due to negligence and lack of caregivers.
Mbah said that the organisation would be saddled with a new approach to taking care of the homes of the aged to cater for their needs and improve their lives.
He urged the state government and well-meaning individuals to support the organisation in its mission.
“Owing to the nature of this caregiving services, we appeal for support in the areas of ambulance for emergency and utility vehicles for movement of social officials across the state.
“We also need a minibus for strolling with aged persons as part of their fun experiences and a piece of land to build a geriatric Home Centre for the training of caregivers, for relaxation and home to homeless aged persons” he stated.
Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Anambra State Council Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in his speech assured the NGO that the media as the fourth estate of the relm and conscience of the society will support their vision. Odogwu prayed God to sustain Prof Kanayo Ofodile with good health and sound mind.
In his remarks, Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu said that the elderly needed care and company as loneliness and depression killed them faster.
According to Ilouno “This is a laudable project and we promise that our communities will work with you because we want our people to age gracefully, fulfilled and longer, ” he said.
The traditional ruler of Awka, HRH Obi Gibson Nwosu, represented by Ozor Mike Onwuaso, traditional ruler of Nawfia, Igwe Daniel Obelle, represented by Mr. Isaac Aghamba in their seperate speeches commended the NGO for the initiative, promising to assist in making the vision a success.
