…Takes free medical outreach to Isuochi
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has given reasons she sponsors free medical outreach for her people.
Hon. Onyejeocha who spoke during the flag-off of her 17th free medical outreach at Isuochi, said her concern over the plights of the indigents who could barely feed, compelled her to embark on the project.
The Minister said anyone struggling to eat might not have money for medication, hence her decision to intervene as a way of giving back to society.
Hon. Onyejeocha who started the annual free medical outreach since 17 years ago, expressed delight that a lot of lives have been saved since the inception of the outreach.
She, therefore, appealed to State Governments not to sacrifice investment in the critical health sector on the altar of road infrastructure.
She noted that while building roads is good, development of the health sector is very expedient.
“Yes building roads is good. It’s fantastic for Governors to build roads but I believe they should diversify towards health sector, agriculture and security. If our health sector continues the way it’s going, we will have a sick population, and this is worse than poverty.
“I’m concerned about the health condition of the poor who cannot pay their medical bills. Somebody struggling to eat food may not have the money to go to hospital.
“So, I decided I should step in to help save lives. I’m driven by my passion for the people especially those who don’t have the means. I’m knowledgeable enough to know that health is wealth, and I need to provide support.
“This is one of my covenant relationships with God, and for the past 17 years I have been doing it. God blessed me to bless others, and it gives me joy to positively impact lives. I do this from my personal savings because I see it as a mandate from God.”
Hon . Onyejeocha promised to sustain her annual free medical outreach as part of her contributions to give hope to humanity.
In an interview, Head of the Medical team, Dr Humble Chimaobi of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, said 120 patients, and 35 surgical cases had been attended to on day one of the four-day event.
According to him, 600 medical patients and 400 surgical cases are targeted during the outreach.
He added that the team was prepared to spend additional day to attend to all those who come for the exercise.
Dr Chimaobi who said 40 medics including doctors, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, laboratory scientists among others, were present at the outreach.
He identified hernia, malaria, high blood pressure and diabetes as the prevalent cases among the patients.
The team lead also said some cancer and HIV cases were discovered in the course of the outreach, adding that critical cases are referred for further attention.
Responding to an inquiry, the team lead said it costs between N150,000 to N300,000 to conduct a hernia surgery depending on the case and other factors.
Dr Chimaobi who commended the Minister for the gesture, appealed to other political elite and privileged individuals to emulate her and help save lives.
In an interview, some of the beneficiaries and their relations rained blessings on the Minister for the intervention, describing her as “God-sent.”
A mother of nine, Mrs Marcellina Ujuagu, whose husband, Mr Monday Ujuagu, 65, had hernia surgery, said the thought of raising fund for the surgery had been a heavy burden on the family since over one year when her husband had the medical condition.
The peasant farmer thanked the Minister for coming to their rescue and prayed God to bless her.
In the same vein, Mrs Faith Nwokoro, mother of nine -year old Chigozie Nwokoro, that also had hernia surgery, expressed joy and big relief.
Other beneficiaries including Mr Cyprain Chukwuma, 69; and Moses Okereke, said Onyejeocha had been a huge asset to her constituents.
They said she had impacted positively on lives through her numerous philanthropic gestures including scholarship programmes.
