By Kodilinye Obiagwu, Enugu
The Enugu State Ministry of Health has entered into a collaborative partnership with the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, to strengthen maternal and child healthcare delivery across the state.
This was disclosed during a recent courtesy visit by the NAS Capn, Dr Joseph Oteri, and his delegation to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikechukwu Obi, in Enugu.
Obi welcomed the initiative, describing the partnership as one of the state’s greatest strengths in the health sector.
“The truth is that government cannot do it alone,” he said. “It is always welcome to have members of the public—associations or individuals—showing genuine interest in the health of the populace.”
Highlighting NAS’ past efforts in community health, the Sancta Bermuda Deck Capn, Joe Mazeli, noted that NAS had recently carried out free medical outreaches at the Enugu Correctional Centre and the Abakpa Health Centre, where routine medical check-ups and drug administration were provided to patients and inmates.
He further stated that NAS maintains an ongoing collaboration with the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Enugu Centre, through which it organises periodic voluntary blood donation campaigns.
Commending the association’s contributions, Obi emphasised the vital importance of maternal and child health, noting that any intervention in the health sector invariably impacts this critical demographic.
“If you improve blood services, you are directly supporting maternal and child healthcare,” the commissioner stated. “One of the biggest causes of maternal mortality is blood loss during childbirth. Easy access to safe blood can be lifesaving.”
Obi lauded NAS for its commitment to health advocacy and intervention, saying, “It is a beautiful thing to see a body of professionals from various backgrounds come together with a shared passion for improving health outcomes.”
He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with NAS to improve healthcare indices across the state, particularly those related to maternal and child welfare.
He also urged the association to identify specific areas needing attention and assured them of the Ministry’s openness to collaboration.
“We are ready to listen and engage with organisations like yours to achieve our broader objectives—delivering the best possible healthcare to the people of Enugu,” he said.
The commissioner added that, beyond maternal and child health, continued dialogue and a refined focus would help expand the partnership’s impact on the state’s overall health system.
