YOG warns Nigerians not to treat malaria and typhoid casually, urging prompt diagnosis and proper medical care.

The Youth on Ground Progressive and Mentorship Initiative (YOG), a non-governmental organisation, has cautioned Nigerians against treating malaria and typhoid fever casually, describing the diseases as silent killers that require prompt medical attention.

The Founder and National Coordinator of YOG, Dr Obioma Nwuba, gave the warning on Thursday during a free two-day medical outreach organised by the organisation in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Nwuba noted that the rainy season often brings an increase in malaria cases, urging Nigerians to seek proper diagnosis and treatment whenever they experience symptoms rather than endure the illness because of financial difficulties.
He said the large turnout at the outreach underscored the urgent need for accessible healthcare services, particularly for rural women and young people.
“Most of these people are primarily here because of malaria and typhoid, and some have had it for weeks and months and because of financial constraints, they have been unable to treat themselves.
“So, they suffer in silence. I urge other organisations to join us in conducting free medical outreaches, especially in the area of malaria and typhoid.
“This period is the time when the disease is very prevalent because of the weather and rainfall. It is a silent killer, so do not see it as ordinary malaria and typhoid,” he said.
Nwuba explained that the outreach was mainly focused on the diagnosis and treatment of malaria and typhoid, while other essential health services were also provided through partnerships.
According to him, YOG partnered with the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency and the Knowledge Network for Disease Control and Vigilance (KNCV) to provide screening, counselling and treatment for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
He said the initiative was aimed at taking healthcare services to grassroots communities and supporting people who could not ordinarily afford medical care.
The YOG founder also appealed to private organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to support government efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
“There is no country that was built by the government alone. Most of the big ideas were nurtured and driven by the private sector.
“Organisations need to complement the activities of the government. The President has set up the Renewed Hope Agenda and what organisations need to do is to key in and help government achieve its goal,” Nwuba said.
Also speaking, the Anambra Coordinator of YOG, Mr Azubuike Okafor, said the two-day medical outreach was designed to attend to about 2,000 patients.
Okafor disclosed that the organisation planned to extend the free healthcare programme to other underserved communities across the country, following previous interventions in Abuja and the ongoing outreach in Anambra State.
“We had the first one in Abuja and we are here now in Anambra. From here, we are moving to Edo State and later Kaduna too; and we will keep extending it as our capacity can carry,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary-Jane Okpara, who received free malaria medication, commended YOG for bringing healthcare services closer to residents.
She appreciated the organisation for the intervention, saying the free medical services would provide relief to people who could not readily afford treatment.