Stakeholders, religious leaders and health professionals have commended the Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Health Committee for sustaining its community health awareness campaign, saying the initiative is gaining momentum and helping to deepen awareness of Elu-Ulee (Buruli ulcer) and other health-related concerns in Awba-Ofemili.
The commendations came during the Awba-Ofemili Health Awareness Campaign 2026, themed “Beyond Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer): Building a Healthier Awba-Ofemili,” organised by the ADU Health Committee at the Civic Centre, Awba-Ofemili.
The campaign is the second edition of the committee’s community health awareness initiative, building on the maiden Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer) Awareness Campaign held in 2025.
Speaking during the programme, the Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul Anglican Church, Awba-Ofemili, Ven. Rev. Sam Asaa, commended the committee, led by Ogbuefi (Sir) Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke, for sustaining the awareness campaign and said its impact was becoming increasingly evident from his interactions with members of the community.
According to him, discussions around Elu-Ulee had reduced considerably during counselling and other interactions with residents, suggesting that the awareness was gaining momentum.
“It is obvious that the awareness is gaining momentum. From the interactions I have had with members of the community during counselling, the subject of Elu-Ulee has reduced. We pray that by next year, we shall be talking about the eradication of Elu-Ulee in Awba-Ofemili,” he said.
The President General of ADU, Hon. Chukwunedu Fidelis Mebene, also applauded the Health Committee for sustaining the initiative and stressed the importance of early detection and proper medical assessment.
Mebene cautioned residents against attributing every unexplained sore or health condition to an enemy or supernatural cause, urging them instead to seek professional medical attention for proper diagnosis.
“Not every sore is an affliction by an enemy. Early detection will help us to know exactly what the problem or ailment is,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Odo Peculiar, representative of the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross, emphasised the importance of basic First Aid knowledge in responding to injuries and health emergencies before professional medical attention is obtained.
He noted that simple First Aid interventions, when properly administered, could go a long way towards addressing emergencies and preventing complications.
Peculiar commended the ADU Health Committee for the initiative and urged other towns and communities in Anambra State to emulate Awba-Ofemili in promoting community health awareness and basic life-saving skills.
“Simple First Aid can go a long way towards getting a solution,” he said.
As part of the campaign programme, the Nigerian Red Cross also conducted a practical First Aid demonstration, led by Elijah Onyinyechukwu, showing participants basic techniques for responding to common injuries and emergencies.
The demonstration built on a First Aid training session conducted the previous week by the Nigerian Red Cross in collaboration with the ADU Health Committee for 60 participants comprising 50 students and 10 teachers of Community Secondary School, Awba-Ofemili.
The training provided practical instruction in basic First Aid administration and the proper use of First Aid boxes, reinforcing the committee’s school-health and community preparedness initiative.
Nurse Onyinye Ezeaku, the Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer & Leprosy (TBL) Supervisor for Awka North, equally commended the ADU Health Committee for its consistency, recalling the success of the maiden campaign organised in 2025.
She noted that the 2026 edition had added another layer to the awareness by broadening the conversation beyond Buruli ulcer to preventive healthcare, early detection and healthy living.
Ezeaku urged community residents to take advantage of the outreach to check their blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as access other health services made available during the programme.
“We commend the ADU Health Committee for its consistency. The 2025 campaign was a huge success, and the 2026 edition has added another layer to the awareness,” Ezeaku said.
She advised residents to check their health status regularly and maintain healthy living practices, including ensuring adequate water intake.
The Head of the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Awba-Ofemili, Mrs Justina Ofuonu, urged indigenes and residents to maximise the PHC as a first point of contact for health concerns.
Ofuonu said the facility was ready to provide initial medical attention, treatment and appropriate referrals where necessary. She also noted that many medications available through the PHC are provided free of charge.
“We enjoin our indigenes to maximise the Primary Health Centre in the town as first responders to save more lives. Most medications are free of charge, and we are ready to ensure that treatment is offered and, where vital, referrals are made,” she said.
The 2026 campaign featured community health education, Elu-Ulee awareness, preventive healthcare education, early detection, basic health screening, First Aid activities, health counselling and referral, as well as engagement with healthcare professionals and community stakeholders.
The programme also reinforced the ADU Health Committee’s broader objective of moving “Beyond Elu-Ulee” towards sustained community health education and preventive healthcare.
The ADU Health Committee expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross, Primary Health Centre Awba-Ofemili, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), health professionals, religious and community leaders, volunteers, development partners and other supporters for their contributions to the campaign.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the initiative and strengthening partnerships that will improve health education, early detection, access to primary healthcare and appropriate referral services in Awba-Ofemili.
