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Category: Climate

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Powering Healthcare: The SSDO and Japan Partnership in Enugu State

In an era where healthcare is a fundamental right, it’s essential to ensure that quality healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of location or economic status. In January 2020, a beacon of hope shone upon the Poly General Hospital in Enugu state, Nigeria, as the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) joined hands with the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. KIKUTA Yutaka, to embark on a transformative project. This partnership marked the beginning of a promising journey towards enhancing the quality of healthcare services by bringing sustainable and reliable power to the Poly General Hospital in Asata.

The Grant Contract

On the 30th of January 2020, the Executive Director of SSDO, Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu, and Ambassador KIKUTA Yutaka of Japan, came together to sign a Grant Contract under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). This contract was a significant milestone in the effort to enhance healthcare in Enugu state.

The Objective

The primary goal of the project was clear – to provide Poly General Hospital in Enugu state with state-of-the-art solar power equipment. A reputable Japanese company manufactured these solar panels, and the plan was not only to install them but to ensure they would enhance the availability of power consistently, thus improving the quality of healthcare delivery in the region.

The Realization

Fast forward one year, and the project is no longer just an ambitious plan on paper. It has successfully materialized, with the solar power system now fully operational and in its inspection phase. The transformation witnessed at the Poly General Hospital Asata is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the SSDO and their Japanese partners.

The Solar Solution

The heart of this transformation is a powerful 58 KVA solar module, equipped with a total of 96 solar panels. To ensure uninterrupted power availability, the system boasts 24 batteries and 6 inverters. This comprehensive setup is further supported by a voltage stabilizer and a network sensor that monitors the flow of current in real-time, ensuring that the hospital’s power needs are met without interruption.

The Impact

The impact of this project cannot be overstated. By providing a stable and sustainable power supply, the Poly General Hospital Asata can now operate without the fear of power outages. This translates into improved healthcare services, as essential medical equipment and facilities are consistently powered. Patients and healthcare professionals can count on the hospital to provide life-saving care without the hindrance of unreliable electricity.

Projects of this magnitude do not happen in isolation. This initiative was proudly sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented by the renowned Panasonic corporation. Their commitment to improving healthcare in Enugu state is commendable, and it’s a testament to the power of international cooperation for the greater good.

Powering Healthcare

The successful implementation of the solar power project at Poly General Hospital Asata is a shining example of what can be achieved when organizations and nations come together with a common goal. The South Saharan Social Development Organisation and the Japanese government, along with their partners, have made a remarkable impact on healthcare in Enugu state. This project reminds us that access to quality healthcare is not just a right but a shared responsibility, one that knows no borders or boundaries.

As we look to the future, let this project serve as an inspiration for more collaborations aimed at enhancing healthcare services and improving the quality of life for people around the world. Together, we can bring light to the darkest corners, ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible to all.

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NCF, SSDO Organizes a Sensitization Rally on Vulture Conservation

NCF, SSDO Organises a Sensitization Rally on Vulture Conservation

The Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) and South Sahara Social Development Organisation (SSDO) have carried out a walk and sensitization of residents of Enugu State on the need to conserve vultures.

The walk, which is meant to commemorate International Vulture Day 2022, titled: “A Mile for Egyptian Vulture”, witnessed sensitization within major roads in Enugu metropolis for several hours on Thursday.

The aim of the rally is to create awareness on the importance of vultures to the ecosystem and why they need to be protected, especially the Egyptian Vultures. Vultures are scavengers and natural cleaning agents. By feasting on carcasses, they remove pathogens and toxins from the dead animals that would have infected the environment. This is possible because their stomach contains a potent acid that destroys the harmful substances found in dead animals. 

However, research has shown that the vulture population is on a steady decline and some species are fast going extinct. There is a healthy vulture population in Enugu state. These vultures existence is threatened by illegal killing and trading of vultures. 

Mr. Oladapo Soneye, Head of Communications, NCF, stated “There is a wrong cultural impression people have about vultures. People assume seeing vultures mean bad omen and then do everything possible to get rid of them.” “Others say vultures are ugly and have no usefulness and then proceed to harm them. Today we want to change the narrative of killing vultures and destroying their habitat.”    

Speaking, the Head of Programmes in SSDO, Mr Udochukwu Egwim, said the economic and health benefits of allowing the vulture do their naturally assigned role of environmental cleaning agents cannot be over-emphasized. Egwim noted that vultures ensure the “essential balance in the eco-system” and do much by their activities to protect life both of humans and animals in a given environment.

“We are on this to ensure that as change agent, which SSDO stands for, we ensure that our people do the right thing and ensure that international best practices meant to benefit every human on earth is done,” he said.

Egwim noted that it was unfortunate that about 150 vultures were found dead in Ihe community in Awgu Local Government Area of the state about two years ago.

“SSDO has carried investigation on the matter and did awareness with the residents of the community on vultures’ protection as well as set up a vulture volunteer watch group.

“The protection group, made up of hunters, farmers, youths and traditional authority, will watch-over and preserve vultures in the community henceforth and report any threat to NCF and SSDO,” he said.

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Preserving Nature’s Sanitation Officers

Vultures in Eke-Ihe community

Do you know that vultures and other scavenging animals are the natural cleaning agents that the earth has? Often, when people hear or see vultures, they automatically associate them with words like dirt, ugly, and evil. Yet they play an important role in keeping the ecosystem’s balance. 

Through their scavenging activities, they control the amount of bacteria that would have spread to the human population. Hence, keeping the ecosystem clean and directly protecting humans from infectious diseases such as anthrax and rabies. Without vultures, the carcasses will lead to air pollution and microbes will multiply. 

By feasting on dead animals, they reduce the likelihood of a swarm of flies gathering and help to keep their population in check. Vultures have a highly corrosive stomach that allows them to digest carcasses without being affected as compared to other animals. The enzymes also process these substances in their stomach ensuring that when they release their waste it is bacteria-free. 

In the absence of vultures, animals like dogs and rats do the scavenging. Due to their close contact with humans, there is a high probability that the diseases picked up will be transferred to humans. 

The Problem

Having understood the importance of vultures to the ecosystem, preserving them becomes a top priority. Vultures can be found in North and South America, as well as East and West Africa, particularly Nigeria. 

“Vulture population has decreased by over 70% in Nigeria in the last 40 years”. – Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, DG, NCF. 

There has, however, been a huge decline in the vulture population across Nigeria. Wildlife trade, hunting, poaching, spiritual and traditional healing practices are the primary causes of this decline. Studies from Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) also show that 500 tons of vultures are trafficked monthly in Nigeria. The different body parts of the vulture serve different purposes. According to a survey, the head is the most expensive part and is used in the treatment of epilepsy. 

A study also revealed that vulture parts are used in making concoctions that claim to treat epilepsy, stroke, mental instability, and are used as a good luck charm in Northern Nigeria. While it is largely used for spiritual purposes in the South West. 

However, vultures have no concrete spiritual usage in the South East as confirmed by Ike Nwakamma of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Traditional Worshippers in a VOA report. The South East, however, has a poaching problem. This was evident after a video footage surfaced online of 50 dead vultures in Eke-Ihe market in Awgu community, Enugu state in 2019. 

SSDO & NCF Partnership

Investigations revealed that the incident was because of poaching activities. Poachers mixed concoctions, most notable tobacco with leftover meat from an abattoir in the market that attracts vultures. This was also confirmed by the traditional ruler, Igwe Godwin Ekoh. This highlights a major problem that results in vulture extinction. Having observed this trend, NCF decided to organize a workshop to sensitize the community on the importance of vultures to the ecosystem. It also looked to create conservation for vultures depending on the number discovered in the state. 

As part of South Saharan Social Development Organization’s (SSDO) commitment to education, SSDO has partnered with NCF to set up conservation clubs in secondary schools. This would enable young ones to understand the importance of vultures and other animals to environmental sustainability. 

The Endangered Species

Vultures on trees in Eke-Ihe forest.

There are seven species of vultures found in Nigeria: Egyptian vulture, Hooded vulture, White-backed gyps, White-headed vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon, Palm but vulture, and Lappet-faced vulture, of which five are on the verge of extinction. Direct exploitation is the biggest challenge to its survival. Hunting and poaching are the primary sources of the threat. 

Our investigation reveals that the head of vultures is used for skin infections while the intestines are used to treat epilepsy. Human activities like deforestation also threaten vultures. Also, investigation reveals that a live vulture costs about #50,000 in the black market, a dead one costs #30,000, the head which seems to be the most important part costs #20,000. 

Awgu Visit

NCF and SSDO had a delegation visit Eke-Ihe community in Awgu for an ex post evaluation to determine the impact of the 2019 sensitization and workshop. As well as to determine the size of the vulture population, find the vulture nests, and preserve the vultures. Evidently, there’s an abattoir that attracts the vulture to the community. 

The NCF and SSDO team with Igwe Godwin Ekoh

The evaluation revealed that there has been an increase in the number of vultures in the community, which means the outreach and workshop proved effective. The team proceeded to the forest that houses the vultures to identify nests. Two nests were found during the visit. The Igwe on his part, also told the team that the community is doing everything within its power to preserve the forest and reduce human activities. 

To get a proper assessment and sighting of the vulture population, the team liaised with the butchers to leave a sizeable chunk of meat and bone in the open. About 35 vultures were sighted in the community. 

Preservation Efforts

The goal is to see that the vulture population in Awgu is protected and that they can gradually find a safe haven in Ihe forest that will enable them to thrive. The NCF team has also found out that for most purposes that the vultures supposedly serve in traditional medicine, there are better plant alternatives. This message has also been the focal point for the sensitization efforts. 

The team also had an advocacy visit to Igwe Godwin Ekoh to discuss efforts on conservation of Ihe forest seeing how much of an endangered species the vultures have become. Efforts are also been taken to carry out sensitizations across communities with high vulture populations.