Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
No fewer than 65 top America-based surgeons and other physicians are expected in Abia State for a free medical mission by the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas, ANPA, scheduled for April 4 to 14.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, said over 5000 patients including about 200 critical surgeries would be handled by the ANPA team.
The mission according to her, is in collaboration with the Abia State Government, with a view to improving on the health of residents.
The Commissioner who said that registration of patients to be attended to had commenced in 65 centres across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state, urged people with serious medical conditions requiring surgery to go to any of the centres closest to them for registration and screening.
According to her, only patients registered and booked for surgery would be attended to during the mission, adding that the services are totally free.
She further said that tests for colonoscopy (colon cancer), prostrate cancer and some medical cases requiring special attention would be handled by the ANPA team.
The Commissioner who disclosed that kits for the tests had arrived the state, urged residents of the state with serious health challenges to take advantage of the opportunity to access quality and free medical care.
She thanked ANPA for choosing Abia State for its 2024 medical mission, assuring that the state has put in place, every necessary arrangement including water-tight security for the success of the mission.
The free medical mission will be held simultaneously at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Umuahia; Abia Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia; and Abia Specialist Hospital Amachara.
Adding her voice, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka -Obasi, also urged Abia residents to come for free eye screening during the World’s Glaucoma Week slated for March 10 – 16.
She noted that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, Dr Emeka -Obasi, said the disease could actually be managed if detected early.
The SA who also said that about 50% of glaucoma patients did not know about the disease early, urged residents to routine go for eyes screening.
She regretted that sizable chunk of the productive adults are suffering from blindness, a sad development, she said had sever economic implications.
Speaking at the press briefing also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ogechi Ogbonna, said a lot of activities had been lined up to celebrate this year’s Women’s Day on March 7.
Speaking on the 2024 International women’s day celebration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bekky Ogechi-Oguama, said the event which is celebrated annually on the 8th of March will be marked in the State on the 7th of this month at the International Conference center Umuahia.
She gave the theme of this year’s celebration as “Inspire Inclusion,” maintaining that activities lined up for the event include road walk, lectures among others.
“We encourage everyone to come out, lets celebrate the achievements of women. Let’s put our heads together to encourage them to do more for themselves and for Abians .
“We have to give voice to the voiceless, that voiceless woman, that woman that is under represented, that woman that needs to find her feet. These are people we need to bring up and include them in what is happening in Abia”
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu, said Gov. Alex Otti’s administration was poised to revolutionalise the Abia health sector.
