The Kwara State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA) says that apart from HIV/AIDS, it provides other health services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Patigi Local Government Area.

Dr Alabi Selim, Project Manager of KWASACA, told newsmen on Friday in Patigi that the services, including mental health, were part of the agency’s intervention to the people.

Selim said that the psychiatric team on ground was to assess the mental wellbeing of the IDPs as they were faced with traumatic experience of losing their primary homes.

“Again, our approach to our mandate has gone beyond the scope of HIV/AIDS services. We brought humanitarian services to the internally displaced persons in Patigi community.

“The IDPs in Patigi are people who are domiciled geographically around the riverine area.

‘’During rainy season, their homes and farms are flooded and the Federal Government provides succour with a standard IDP camp.

“However, due to unavailability of some amenities such as bedding, security, electricity and water in the camps, most of the IDPs relocated back to the community,’’ he said.

Alhaji Umar Bologi, the Etsu Patigi, commended KWASACA for its humanitarian services and pledged to support the agency.

Mrs Afusat Ahmed, the North Central Zonal Coordinator of National Commission for the Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, noted that there were no amenities in the IDPs camp.

Ahmed said that the challenge made the IDPs relocate to the town.

Malam Usman Ladan, an IDP, explained that they had challenges of insecurity, bedding, electricity and water but commended KWASACA for the medical outreach.