By Amina Salisu
The Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria ( FOMWAN) ,Bauchi State chapter, says that plans were in pipeline to establish a gymnastic centre in its primary healthcare centre to support the wellness of senior citizens for wellness.
Hajiya Habiba Usman, state chairperson of the state, stated this at a one- day engagement with the senior citizens in the state on Saturday on Health Education.
She said that the programme considered senior citizens as vulnerable ,hence the need to update participants with healthy information.
The various sessions discussed included nutrition, MNCH and abstinence from consuming Foods with artificial prevention and harmful chemicals and accessing healthcare
Usman said that the activity was in collaboration with the Bauchi State Senior Citizens of Nigeria.
” The senior citizens were engaged in health education for their wellbeing and we plan to set up a centre for them in our primary health care facility to make them exercise their bodies.
” We discuss maternal and child health because they are heads of our families.
” They need to be abreast with the indices to promote access to healthcare for mothers and their babies,” she added.
Usman called on the state government to support the senior citizens with palliative,shelter and free healthcare despite their population.
” They are vulnerable,some of them don’t have caregivers ,no shelter and are weak to take care of themselves.
“We gathered about 100 of them today through some community leaders because they are custodian of our communities,” she explained.
Usman also called on philanthropists, development partners to extend their laudable programmes and support to the senior citizens in the state.
The chairperson also solicited for support in hastening the establishment of the centre.
In her contribution,Ms Zainab Hassan, Representative of the Bauchi State Network for Civil Society Organisations ( BASNEC) said that the welfare of senior citizens was paramount.
She said that the Bauchi Consultative Forum on Aging said that supports were earlier rendered to the senior citizens.
Hassan called on artisans among the senior citizens to retain their skill and craft business adding that training sessions be introduced among the younger generation.
In his response,the ward head of Dawaki, Alhaji Mohammadi Maimako appreciated the organisers of the programme.
He advocated for more enlightenment campaigns on health lifestyle and health tips and Good diets for the senior citizens.
