ImaBridge Africa

Healthcare

Health Care in Nigeria

Access to health care and primary care services is very limited for many people in Nigeria. Though there are hospitals in the urban areas, many of them face their own challenges; outdated or lack of medical equipment and inadequate medical supplies and medications.  Hospital staff tell us “we do the best we can with the resources we have”.  Poor road conditions, lack of transportation and cost of medical care make access to health care very difficult and even impossible for the people in the rural villages.

Nigeria has many significant health issues, which compound the need for primary care services:

  • Malaria is a significant health issue in Nigeria. The U.S. Embassy of Nigeria reports that there are an estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths annually.
  • Deaths related to diarrheal disease are more prevalent in the developing world due in large part, to the lack of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as poor overall health and nutritional status.  According to WHO and UNICEF, 150,000 Nigerian children die annually due to dehydration related to diarrheal disease from unsafe water supplies and inadequate sanitation.
  • Nigeria experiences significantly high maternal and infant mortality rates.  Poverty, poor hygienical conditions, lack of prenatal care and limited access to medical treatment for delivery are the primary causes for maternal mortality.  According to UNICEF, a women’s chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth is one in thirteen and according to WHO, one in five Nigerian children never reach the age of five.
  • 600 newborn Nigerian infants die daily due to poor maternal care (UNICEF). 1 in 5 never reach the age of five (WHO). It costs $150 USD to delivery a baby in Nigeria

Health is ImaBridge’s primary area of focus. It is our goal to raise public awareness, facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid through the donation of medical equipment, supplies and medications and to improve access to primary care services.  ImaBridge’s health services is aimed at reducing child mortality, improving maternal health services to reduce maternal mortality and to combat diseases such as Malaria, HIV, Cholera, Diabetes and Hypertension

 

Our Accomplishments Through the Years

  • In 2014, established the ImaBridge Community Health Care Centre in Owot Uta, Ibesikpo Asutan Akwa Ibom State in collaboration with St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Rotary Club of Uyo providing emergency and primary care services 24 hours a day.

  • Annually provide medical mission screening clinics in rural villages with limited access to health care.  The 3000+ villagers are screened for hypertension, diabetes, malaria, HIV and other medical conditions.  Each patient is evaluated by a physician, have laboratory tests as needed and are prescribed medications as appropriate. 

  • Donated an ambulance and 4D ultrasound machine to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua.

  • Donated medical equipment, medication and supplies to hospital and health care facilities throughout Akwa Ibom State.

  • Provided surgery, follow-up care and physical therapy for Blessing, a young girl born with bilateral Club Foot.  Blessing is now able to walk. Provided crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and a prosthetic leg to multiple handicapped individuals giving them the gift of mobility.

  • Provided crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and a prosthetic leg to multiple handicapped individuals giving them the gift of mobility.

 

We are always looking for others to help us, as Mother Teresa said, "To do small things with great love."