The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) – on Saturday, 17th of June 2023 – held its second edition of medical outreach to the underserved and vulnerable victims of human trafficking.
As a part of the Victims Assistance/Medical Outreach Support for Victims of Human Trafficking (VoT) under the Framework of the Niger-Nigeria Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Project, this program held at the NAPTIP Lagos state command in Ikeja.
During the opening speech by the DG NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi and welcome address by the Lagos state commander, NAPTIP – Mrs Comfort Agboko, they welcomed the participants and commended the support of International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA Lagos) as partners towards the execution and success of the program. Particularly appreciating the NMA Lagos team, for being on ground to meet the medical needs of the victims. After which the representative of ICMPD and Chairman of NMA Lagos – Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu – delivered their goodwill messages.
Following these, the NMA Lagos team at this outreach – made up of four doctors and 2 dental officers led by the Chairman – offered free medical consultation to the VoT. Emotional support and mental health talk was delivered to the participants in Yoruba language by Dr. Dapo Adegbaju (Consultant Psychiatrist), and in Pidgin by Dr. Adingwupu Ufuoma (Chairman, NMA Lagos committee on Human Trafficking). Also, the NMA Lagos Protocol Committee Chairman – Dr. Akinkunmi Tolulope – was in attendance.
Overall, about 300 VoT drawn from various organizations and shelters across the state were provided with free medical screenings, free counselling, free medications, and free dental care through this mission. There were also souvenirs distributed to the participants as gifts and relief items.
