Jenna Josh-Daniels, Abuja
Ahead of the December Pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has inaugurated a 12 man Federal Medical Committee made up of professional doctors, nurses, pharmacists.
The medical team is saddled with the responsibility of handling all medical affairs related to the December Pilgrimage starting from the medical screening activities in Nigeria.
Executive Secretary NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who spoke at the inauguration, charged the committee to be honest in its selection process and ensure all suspected acts of corruption especially in the procurement of fake drugs, were exposed for further actions.
Rev. Pam listed the Terms of Reference to include; procurement and effective distribution of quality drugs, adherence to COVID-19 protocols, screening and recommendation to disqualify pregnant women and medically unfit intending pilgrims from the trip, amongst others.
He said: “You have a lot of responsibility; our plan this year is to make sure we make an excellent trip in terms of services, health and security. Your work will be more challenging because of the pandemic. Make us proud, what doctors in Israel cannot do let Nigerian doctors do.
“The experience of those days when people go out and do what they want with money is past, we want to display our profession to save lives.
“If you suspect our drugs are not okay maybe due to foul play be open to us so we can deal with the issues honestly as children of God. This place should not be seen just as an agency of government but as a church and house of God.
“Be ambassadors that will give us a good name, do your best in the selection, after the examinations be strict and make sure those taken from States are qualified because so many complaints have come from the past. Their health from the airport must be sound to ensure we to not have causalities over there.”
Chairman of the inaugurated committee, Dr. David Atuwo, pledged his team’s commitment to solving any issue that may arise in Nigeria or in any of the countries to be visited during the pilgrimage.
While pledging adherence to COVID-19 laid down protocols during the pilgrimage, he disclosed that based on availability of funds, Nigeria’s clinic in Jerusalem would be activated to tend to pilgrims in need of healthcare while on pilgrimage.
“COVID-19 has brought a new set of medical challenges globally. We are going to abide strictly by the protocols set by the Federal Government through the PTF, to ensure the safety of our pilgrims and indeed Nigerians that will follow us o the pilgrimage,” Atuwo said.
