In actualization of its mission to provide sustainable and quality primary health care service delivery to the people, the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board has organised a free medical outreach programme for Boat drivers. The Executive Secretary of Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board Dr. Claribel I. Abam who was represented by the Director Occupational and Environmental Health Services in Port Harcourt said the exercise was to ensure that the boat drivers are physically and mentally fit as they ply the waterways.
According to Dr. Abam, the programme was mainly to sensitize the seamen on safety rules like the appropriate use of fire extinguishers, the need to have first aid boxes and life vests as well as to conduct medical screening tests on them in order to reduce man made accidents along the waterways. She said ” we found out that Boat Drivers do not have the time to do medical examinations for themselves, based on that rather than wait for them to come to us, we now moved down to the waterfronts to conduct these basic tests”.
The Executive Secretary said that health personnels were there to conduct eye tests to ascertain the visual capabilities and defects in the drivers, screen them for diabetes and other minor ailments and also deliver a health talk on safety and best practices. Those who are diagnosed with any illnesses would be referred to the closest health facilities within their catchment area for further treatment under the state Government’s free medical programme.
She advised them to avail themselves of the opportunity of free treatment and warned that those who fail to turn up for the medical examination by the next medical outreach would be handed over to the relevant authorities for appropriate disciplinary actions. One of the beneficiaries Mr. Andrew Awaji who spoke on behalf of the Able seamen thanked the state Government for bringing healthcare to their domain and appealed to government to help curb the menace of sea piracy in the waterways.
Medical certificates of fitness were presented to boat drivers who were certified fit by the medical Doctors.
