By Elijah Ugani
The Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), founded by Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade, has marked more than a decade of community-focused interventions across Cross River State, with renewed plans to expand its preventive healthcare programmes to Obudu.
Established from a vision to support vulnerable populations and promote preventive medicine and healthy living, MDF has over the years implemented programmes focused on maternal and child health, mentorship, women’s empowerment, health awareness and disease prevention.
The Foundation marked its 10th anniversary in 2025 without a formal ceremony, choosing instead to continue its community interventions. According to the organisation, its survival and sustained activities over the years reflect its commitment to its mandate and the communities it serves.
Dr. Ayade, a physician and public health and health-promotion professional with training in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Germany, established MDF to promote greater awareness of preventable and manageable diseases, including cancer, diabetes and hypertension.
Over the years, the Foundation has conducted health outreaches, sensitisation campaigns and screening exercises in both rural and urban communities across Cross River State. Some of its interventions have also included bringing essential medical services, including complex surgeries, closer to residents.
MDF has worked with a range of local and international organisations in delivering its programmes. Its partners have included Lafarge, now HBM; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Save the Children International (SCI); the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); CUSO; Faith-Care International; 9Mobile; United Purpose; the United States Refugee Fund; UN Women; Roche International; First Ladies Against Cancer; the Cross River State Ministries of Health and International Donor Cooperation; and the Medical Women Association, among others.
The Foundation said the support and collaboration of its partners had been instrumental to the reach of its programmes and expressed its intention to sustain those partnerships.
MDF Targets Obudu for Cancer Awareness and Screening.
As part of its continuing focus on preventive healthcare, MDF is preparing to hold a cancer awareness and screening exercise in Obudu as part of activities marking global Cancer Awareness Month in October.
The planned programme will focus on educating residents about cancer risk factors, the importance of early detection and available treatment options. Free screening for breast, cervical and other common cancers will also be offered, alongside counselling and referrals for individuals requiring further medical attention.
The Foundation said the decision to take the programme to Obudu was deliberate, noting that many of its previous interventions had been concentrated in Calabar, Ikom, Ogoja, Akamkpa, Yakurr and Abi.
“With charity beginning at home,” the organisation said it was time for residents of Obudu to benefit more directly from its outreach programmes.
MDF described Obudu as a growing local government area with increasing population density and said proactive health interventions could help improve awareness and access to preventive services.
By taking screening and health education directly to the community, the Foundation hopes to encourage early detection and help reduce fear and stigma associated with cancer.
Dr. Ayade has continued to emphasise the role of health education in disease prevention. Her guiding principle, according to MDF, is that “an informed community is a healthy community.”
The Foundation said it would continue to pursue its objective of building healthier and more inclusive communities through education, prevention, partnerships and compassionate service.
It also called on members of the public, development partners and other stakeholders to support its preventive healthcare initiatives as it expands its engagement with communities across Cross River State.
