By Okechukwu Okechukwu
An International recognised Nongovernmental organisation, First/Best Domiciliary Home Care World, Saturday, said it has come to Anambra State to help reduce the numbers of deaths and burials by extending the life expectancy of the populace.
Arc Mike Ikemefune Nwafor, who disclosed this at unveiling of the project in Awka, Anambra State, maintained that the project was targeted at providing cares to the old and aged parents abandoned by their children with a view to making them live healthy and longer life as tenable in advanced society.
Nwafor, who was chairman of the occasion, regretted that the aged were dying frequently in Africa especially in Nigeria and Anambra State, because of uncaring attitudes and assault on their mental and physical health, even as their children are abandoned without care.
"The consequence is the unimaginable assault on the mental and physical
health of the aged, gross reduction in our life expectancy and young people that will be left without parental care at their young adult age," he maintained.
Also speaking, an international Director of the organisation and United States of America-based clinical psychologist, Prof Kanayo Ofodile explained that the programme was designed to take care of the aged people in the state, who are abandoned by their children.
"Many aged persons are homeless, abandoned, lonely, unhealthy and unkempt, hence, the establishment of this organisation. We will be going around the state to pick up and cater to abandoned aged persons. 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," he noted.
Contributing, the Director, Care Services of First Best Domiciliary Home Care World, Mr Ekene Mbah, urged government and individuals to support the organisation to make the dream a reality as it would employ a new approach to taking care of the homes of the aged to cater for their needs and improve their lives.
On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu, hailed the programme, describing it as laudable, because according to him, the elderly are dying of loneliness and depression.
Earlier, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, pledged the government unalloyed support to the project, which according to him, were parts of governor Chukwuma Soludo's project geared towards making Anambra State liveable and prosperous.
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