Challenge AIDS and Malaria in Africa (CHAMA) is a Canadian-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded by Dr. & Pastor Mrs Olugu Ukpai in 2006 after they lost their baby girl named “Goodness” at 16 months to malaria needlessly. With 49,000 volunteers from 99 countries of the globe, CHAMA volunteers has for 14 years carried out over 600 free surgeries, saving estimated 80,000 people.
Supporting older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is everyone’s business. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global population in drastic ways. In many countries, older people are facing the most threats and challenges at this time. This is worse off in African countries where there is no political will for elderly people’s healthcare.
Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.
“Supporting and protecting older people living alone in the community is everyone’s business,” said Ambassador Dr Olugu Ukpai, CHAMA’s CEO and Co-Founder, addressing journalists at a virtual press briefing today from his Canada’s aboard. “I am reminding governments and authorities that all communities must be supported to deliver interventions to ensure older people have what they need. All older people should be treated with respect and dignity during these times. Remember, we leave no one behind.”
Support for older people, their families and their caregivers is an essential part of CHAMA’s comprehensive response to the pandemic. During times of isolation and quarantine, older people need safe access to nutritious food, basic supplies, money, medicine to support their physical health, and social care. Dissemination of accurate information is critical to ensuring that older people have clear messages and resources on how to stay physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic and what to do if they should fall ill.
The Ohafia team of volunteer warriors of CHAMA NGO locates Madam Nwadiya J. K. Uche of Ndia Torty Compound, Okon-Aku Ohafia on 28th June, 2020, who is 103 years old and provided her with necessary palliative support.
Her daughter who is 85 years old witnessed the donation and appreciated the CHAMA NGO for their kind gesture and prays that the LORD shall bless them to live longer than herself and everyone echoed a loud Amen.
A big congratulations to CHAMA volunteers and their Ohafia chapter leadership team for living up to the CHAMA axiom:
“Except CHAMA cares, the people perish”.
