Lions Club leads fight to eliminate measles and river blindness in Nigeria

In Africa especially Nigeria, measles and river blindness has brought sorrow and tears into numerous homes. These afflictions have over the years continued to ravage the African continent.

Measles remain one of the leading causes of death among infants between the ages of 0-5 years. In a WHO research conducted few years, almost 2 million Nigerian children were said to be exposed to the risk of measles.

On River blindness, the Federal Ministry of Health warned that over 50 million Nigerians are prone to river blindness (Onchocerciasis). And sadly only about 30million sufferers are accessing treatment.

With these depressing statistics, it is apparent that Africa and Nigeria is at the brink of looming scourge.

However it is not all gloom and doom, as Lions Club International, a non-governmental charity organisation, brings hope to the horizon as they brace up to battle and eradicate the scourge of Measles and River blindness.

This avowal was made recently by the top leadership of the association worldwide in their recent visit to Nigeria, for the Club’s just concluded 21st All Africa Conference (AAC) held in Lagos.

At the event, Jitsuhiro Yamada, the Lions Clubs International President, expressed his belief that with the immense support of many their numerous partners, that the Club would achieve their aim to eliminate the scourge of Measles and River blindness in Nigeria and Africa.

Also, Joseph Preston, the Immediate past president and chairman Lions International Charity foundation (LCIF), Lion hinted that the club is poised to sink in more funds to procure vaccination against measles and river blindness, and to execute more projects to educate and train youths to become responsible adults.

“We want to eliminate river blindness and measles, by providing more vaccinations. And we have mobilized over $40 Million for this project. As the largest service organisation in the world, our service areas are diverse and we have people that are service minded. So in addition to health, we have diverse programmes like fighting hunger, providing succour to victims of natural disasters and training youths to become responsible adults.”

The Lions Club is not alone in this fight to bring relief to Africa, and their First International President, Lion Robert Corlew III disclosed that the club have partnered with a lot of other big organisation as they aim to wipe out the bane of measles and river blindness in the continent.

“We partner with so many governments and other NGOs. We work with Special Olympics, and have supported them with time and money. Also we are partners with the GavyFoundation.

We, Lions have contributed $48 million, and are aiming to give them $60 million towards our fight to stop the existence of measles. We are also partnering with a lot of pharmaceutical companies in our fight against river blindness. Also we work with the Cater Foundation in many of our project. These are very few of our partners.”

Ifoema Okeke