Natural & Environmental Science professor, Dr. Jennifer Tyndall, working with the Atiku Center and AUN Community Engagement & Service-learning, as well as the AUN Clinic, brought several other stakeholders together for a four-day oral hygiene intervention at the Malkohi IDP camp in Jimeta in the Adamawa State capital.
The stakeholders collaborating with AUN in the project are the State Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Medical Center, Yola (FMC), Yola Specialist Hospital, Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Community Oral Health Initiative (an NGO based in Abuja).
Unilever, a multinational company operating in Nigeria, donated toothpaste.
The project was flagged off on October 31 by the wife of the Adamawa Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Justina Sabastine Patrick.
She commended the AUN initiative, saying it would go a long way in alleviating the oral health headaches of displaced people as well as equip them to personally take ownership of their oral health promotion information.
Dr. Tyndall said the execution of the project is a perfect example of a public-private partnership where AUN as a private institution worked together with state and federal agencies and NGOs to intervene in the local community.
"We were very fortunate due to the generous support of the former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fatima Atiku Abubakar, who approved all the funds for equipment, drugs, and supplies to help the IDPs."
AUN students also had hands-on experience working with the IDPs and the Student Government Association sourced clothes from AUN students. IT students from the Modibbo Adama University of Technology participated in this outreach.
AUN is a development university. "We go out in the field, work in the community, to make life better," Dr. Tyndall said.
There was medical personnel from WHO, the Dental Department of the Specialist Hospital, FMC, and the Malkohi Clinic.
Among the activities was a screening of the oral cavity and brushing, scaling and polishing, fillings, extraction, as well as a general sensitization on the correct way to brush their teeth.
Dr. Tyndall involved her students in the BIO 320 course (Anatomy & Physiology) for the exercise.
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, Prof. Muhammadou Kah, said it was important for universities to collaborate with organizations that are in the field addressing the needs of people.
"That is what AUN continues to do. So, we are honored to be given the privilege to work with all those that tirelessly work in the state government to ensure that our people's healthcare delivery is not only enhanced but strengthened and reaches those that need it most."
AUN, being a development university, is committed to helping to strengthen the health program in Adamawa.
"At the PhD stage of our university, we have students who have begun to work with members of the state government to do their PhD research, investigating some of these challenges and seeing how best we can contribute to e-health to bring digital technologies and tools to enhance the delivery of services around the healthcare ecosystem."
Reported by Omorogbe Omorogiuwa