Health Empowerment and Education Initiative, HEDEN, has called for the support of all and sundry in addressing the issues of public health in order to create a better life for all.
HEDEN is a non-governmental organisation that promotes public health and social change through participation and community building.
The Executive Director of HEDEN, Mrs. Folasade Ofurune, made the call on behalf of the organisation at a town hall meeting with stakeholders on public health.
The meeting was held at Goningora, Kaduna, on Monday.
The thrust of the town hall meeting was to support public health interventions and build the capacity of community stakeholders on engaging HEDEN on available platforms on her innovative programmes and projects interventions to bring about sustainable development.
The theme of the town hall meeting is “Public Health and Community Building of Goningora.”
It also provided a platform for information sharing on steps that can be taken by everyone to help strengthen the resolve to be involved in lifting up the community.
The question-and-answer session, experience sharing, and elicited feedback that followed were helpful for HEDEN in planning future interventions.
The Sarkin (Village Head) of Goningora, Chief John Dodo, through Mr. Anthony Ife, expressed satisfaction over HEDEN s programmes.
The village head was intrigued by the concept of public health, social change, participation and community building on which the activities of HEDEN are hinged.
He however pointed to the need for the long-term sustainability of all HEDEN’s interventions and implored that it should not be a flash in the pan.
He promised support of the palace towards HEDEN’s interventions.
Also speaking at the event, Amos Sabo, harped on the mantra of ‘Leave No One Behind’.
In his remark, he emphasised the need to give serious attention to the physically challenged in the community.
He praised HEDEN for deeming Goningora fit for the interventions.
On his part, a nstrategic partner, AY Block Industry, represented by the Managing Director, Mr Kunle Ogunbo, highlighted the need for the organisation to collaborate more with partners, especially in realising a community health centre for the Goningora community.
In attendance were Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), NGO representatives, educationists, youth leaders, representatives from religious organisations and others.
Kaduna State presents a good starting point for HEDEN’s public health interventions in Northern Nigeria as a region disenfranchised by conflict.
HEDEN called for international organisations working on public health to collaborate with it in achieving her vision of “a world in which communication saves lives, improves health and enhances well-being.”
