PUNCH Media Foundation (PMF), the development arm of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, successfully held the second edition of its Community Health Awareness Programme (P-CHARP) on Tuesday, 17 December 2024, at Ibafo, Ogun State. This impactful event underscores PMF’s unwavering commitment to promoting health education and wellness in underserved communities across Nigeria.
This year’s programme delivered on its promise to address the healthcare needs of the Ibafo community, offering a range of free health services, essential supplies and educational sessions. PMF, in collaboration with LiveWell Initiative, provided participants with medical tests, including checks for blood pressure, random blood glucose (RBG), stress levels, hepatitis, and malaria. Free medications were distributed based on the diagnoses. Moreover, over 70 children benefitted from a health talk on handwashing and personal hygiene, and some received deworming treatments with parental consent.
In addition to free medical services, about 400 participants—including pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, young men and women, and the elderly—received relief packs, along with fruits and food. Meanwhile, nursing mothers were given baby packs, and children received Santa gifts, thus making the event especially memorable for the younger attendees.
The event was graced by the Chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Angela Emuwa and the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Adeyeye Joseph. Other senior management staff, including the General Manager, Digital and Publications, Mr. Ademola Oni; General Manager, Production, Mr. Popoola Olayinka; and Company Secretary/ General Manager, Subsidiaries, Mrs. Omolara Ogunleye, also attended, demonstrating the company’s deep engagement with the initiative.
Building on Success
The inaugural edition of P-CHARP, held in December 2023 in Magboro, Ogun State, set a high standard for community impact and this year’s event successfully expanded on that legacy. With over 400 beneficiaries directly benefiting, P-CHARP continues to pave the way for healthier and more resilient communities.
In his remarks, Mr. Joseph reaffirmed the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, stating that “at PUNCH, we believe in using our platform to drive positive societal change. Initiatives like P-CHARP are a testament to our commitment to empowering underserved communities with access to essential healthcare services and knowledge for healthier living.”
Similarly, Mr. Oni explained that the outreach aimed to promote preventive health awareness among residents of the community. He said, “What we have come to do here today is to inculcate preventive awareness among the residents because prevention is better than cure. We also want people to have the opportunity to examine themselves because many individuals have lost their lives because they were not aware of minor health issues before they escalated. This is not the last of its kind that we are going to do. We will continue to keep in touch with host communities on a regular basis.”
Collaborative Efforts for Impact
The outreach was executed in collaboration with LiveWell Initiative, a major health partner with a focus on health promotion and empowerment and other key stakeholders, including the Ogun State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Police Force and local community leaders.
In her address, the representative of the Ogun State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Abosede Salami, educated participants on cholera prevention and treatment, emphasising the importance of hygiene and community awareness in combating the disease. Also, the Chief Executive Officer of LiveWell Initiative, Dr. Bisi Bright, commended the programme’s holistic approach, which combines medical intervention with community engagement. She expressed her gratitude for being part of the impact PUNCH Media Foundation and its partner, PUNCH Newspapers, are making across Ogun State since the inaugural edition in Magboro, Ogun State in 2023.
To ensure safety and security, 10 police officers were deployed, contributing to the smooth execution of the event. The Chairman of the Akoka-Ebute Area Community Development Committee, Mr. Olagoke Moses, noted that the outreach was timely, considering the dwindling economic situation of the country which has had adverse effects on the residents’ health and well-being. He lauded the outreach, describing it as “the best outreach that has been done in this Ibafo community so far.”
Empowering Communities Through Healthcare
The Head of Programmes and Research, PMF, Ms. Rebecca Erureh, highlighted that the event aligns with the Foundation’s vision of creating a healthier, more informed and empowered society. She noted that “P-CHARP demonstrates the transformative power of strategic partnerships in driving meaningful societal change. By addressing pressing healthcare needs, we aim to reduce health disparities and empower communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.”
Participants benefited from educational sessions on preventive care and hygiene, with a special segment for children.
A Vision for the Future
As PMF reflects on the success of this year’s programme, it remains steadfast in its mission to create lasting impact through innovative partnerships and targeted interventions. With P-CHARP being the hallmark of the Foundation’s CSR efforts, the vision of a healthier, more equitable Nigeria continues to take shape, one community at a time.
