170 trafficked victims, migrants benefit from NAPTIP, ICMPD free medical outreach

No fewer than 170 trafficked victims and returnee migrants have benefited from the free medical outreach  organised by National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

Daily Trust reports that the free treatment under the Strengthening Niger-Nigeria Cooperation on Countering Traf-ficking in Human Beings project is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Speaking during the event, NAPTIP Director General, Dr Fatima Wazir-Azi,said the outreach is designed to reduce the impact of psychological trauma on the victims of human trafficking  and returned migrants.

Represented by Kehinde Akomolafe, Director, Counselling and Education Department, he said the victims would see doctors who would listen to their problems and after  assessment would be given drugs to take care of their ailments.

“Most of the victims suffer  trauma as a result of their experiences and their  total well-being is very important, so  that their mental, physical and psychological well-being is intact and fit properly into society,if not  we would not have succeeded in victims rehabilitation”.

Also speaking, Head of Region, ICMPD West Africa,  Dr Mojisola Sodeinde, said aside the free treatment they also build the capacity of  Shelter Operators and Service Providers/ Victims Assistance to ensure proper handly of victims.

Represented by Adeniyi Bakre, Programme Assistant ICMPD, S  said the  outreach was to provide medical assistance and welcome packs for victims upon reception, and enlighten them on health issues.

On his part, the Edo state NAPTIP Commander, Bar. Nduka Nwanwenne, said the programme  is designed to ad-dress the health need of the returned migrants and victim of human trafficking.

He said the beneficiaries were treated in the area of family health mental health issues among others 

Earlier, Dr Isreal Aina, a mental health physician, from the University of Benin Teaching hospital commended the the organisers of the programme for bringing medical care to trafficked  victims and migrants.