Bulama Hassan Liman, a respected 56-year-old community leader from the Bording area in Kala Balge LGA, has been a farmer for years and is the proud father of nine children from his two marriages. However, his community faced a health crisis marked by prevalent illnesses like high fevers, swollen bellies, and challenging childbirth experiences due to inadequate access to quality healthcare services. For Bulama Hassan and his family, obtaining medical treatment was an ordeal, often requiring them to cross distant bodies of water into Cameroon to reach healthcare facilities.
The situation took a toll on the community, leading to a surge in mortality and morbidity rates. Personally, Bulama Hassan struggled with severe health issues, including an eating disorder that made drinking water a painful experience, leaving him in distress and struggling to breathe.
“Personally, I have had my share of severe sicknesses. I had an eating disorder where I could not drink water for thirty minutes or more. Whenever I did, I always had severe distress and difficulty in breathing, which sometimes made me feel death was calling,” Bulama Hassan narrated.
In November 2022, Albarka Health Spring Foundation (AHSF), generously supported by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), initiated a crucial intervention in Kala Balge LGA of Borno state. The mission was to enhance access to high-quality outpatient and comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare services for conflict-affected individuals. This initiative aimed to bridge critical gaps by providing skilled healthcare professionals, life-saving medications, and reinforcing referral systems for both the internally displaced and the host community.
Thanks to AHSF’s unwavering dedication, 2,320 individuals, comprising 38% women, 25% men, 20% girls, and 17% boys, directly benefited from improved healthcare services. Bulama Hassan, like many others, has been sensitized, treated with drugs, and received regular checkups by AHSF’s health staff.
“Several times, I escorted several community members to Cameroon to get treatment or surgeries, sadly, it claimed the lives of some of them. However, since the arrival of AHSF, things have changed for good. The struggle to access healthcare has significantly diminished. Women are now empowered through antenatal care and community sensitization, ensuring safer and more informed childbirth experiences. The community’s children even joyfully chant ‘Albarka’ throughout, symbolizing the positive impact AHSF has had.” Bulama Hassan expressed his delight.
In his capacity as a community leader, Bulama Hassan conveys his profound appreciation to Albarka Health Spring Foundation and the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund for their unwavering support during the community’s most challenging moments. Their presence has undeniably illuminated the path toward a healthier and more promising future for the community. While significant strides have been made, several healthcare gaps remain, underscoring the continued need for assistance to support the vulnerable individuals of Kala Balge.
