BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH

A renowned Catholic Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Etemma Michael Ekong, Chancellor of Uyo Catholic Diocese and the Parish Priest of St Peter’s Parish, University of Uyo celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday 10th February 2013 at the Parish Hall, St. Peter’s Parish, University of Uyo, Uyo.

Some events were earmarked for the celebration. One such event was the visit to Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research Centre, 72 Ikot Udoro Road, Uyo on the 7th of February 2013, by members of the Planning Committee. The Committee led by Rev. Fr. Michael Inyang and its Chairman arrived in MHRRC at exactly 9:15 am

Welcoming the Committee to the Centre, the Founder/CEO, Rev. Fr. Dr. Donatus Ukpong stated that he has been enthusiastically waiting to receive them since he knew about their coming. He added that he was very excited to see them visit the Centre. He explained that the Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research Centre was commissioned on the 10th October 2012 in Akwa Ibom State to mark the celebration of World Mental Health Day 2012. Furthermore, he stated that the Centre was established to cater for people with mental health challenges. The CEO took the visitors on a “facility tour” of the Centre.

Explaining the mode of operation of the MHRRC, the CEO pointed out that, patients picked from the streets are first taken to the Mental Health Department of UUTH, Uyo, where they are stabilized before admission. He added that the facilities in the Centre permit to take care of male patients for now until when the Foundation will be able to build a permanent rehabilitation centre.

Responding, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Engr. Kenneth Ekanem thanked the CEO of the Foundation for accepting their request to visit the Centre. Engr. Ekanem remarked that this visit has afforded him the opportunity to allay his curiosity about what Mobile Manna Foundation stands for. Furthermore, he reiterated that the Committee is visiting the Centre on behalf of a priest, who is celebrating his 50th Birthday in the person of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Michael Ekong. Engr. Ekanem prayed God to continue to provide for the Foundation to do this good work for humanity. He presented a cash donation to the Foundation to accompany food and domestic items. He concluded by urging the public to support the effort towards the enhancement of mental health, so that this service may be available and accessible to the numerous persons who are in need of mental healthcare in contemporary society.

The Project Manager, Mr. Anietie Umanah while giving the vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the Planning Committee for remembering the Foundation and the patients. He expressed the joy of the entire members of the Foundation to share in the celebration of Fr. Anthony Ekong’s  50th Birthday. He prayed the Almighty God to give him good health and many years of celebration.

 

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