Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Enugu State Branch, has conducted a medical outreach in Owo Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, benefiting about 1,500 residents.
Speaking to journalists during the exercise held at Cecilia Memorial Hospital, Owo, the Vice President of NAS, Enugu Branch, Dr Ogbodo Okechukwu, said the outreach was targeted at providing free medical services to 1,500 persons.
Okechukwu, a consultant public health physician, explained that Owo Community was selected because of its peculiar needs, noting that the area has a high population of vulnerable people.
He said the medical outreach, which is a quarterly programme, had previously been carried out in Nsukka, Iva Valley in Enugu, and Awgu Local Government Area.
“Our target is 1,500 persons, and I am confident that before 6:00 p.m., we will achieve that number,” Okechukwu said.
He added that the exercise was carried out in collaboration with national and international organisations such as UNICEF, the Centre for Disease Control, as well as teaching hospitals including the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and Parklane Hospital.
Also speaking, the Head of the Medical Team, Dr Godfrey Anthony, estimated the cost of each NAS medical outreach at about N3.5 million, adding that the exercise is conducted quarterly.
According to him, the local organising committee usually liaises with community leaders to sensitise residents ahead of the outreach.
The programme featured general medical consultations, blood pressure checks, eyesight screening, blood sugar tests, malaria parasite screening, diabetes screening, and prostate examinations.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the outreach commended the organisers, describing the free medical services as life-saving.
In separate interviews, they expressed gratitude to NAS and called for the exercise to be sustained.
A clergyman, Pastor Augustine Nnamani of Ubahu Village, said he brought his mother for a medical check-up due to multiple ailments but ended up receiving treatment for ulcer.
“This is fantastic and life-saving for our community.
“I brought my mother for medical checks over some old-age-related sicknesses, but she was treated for ulcer after the examination,” Nnamani said.
He thanked the organisers and appealed for the outreach to be conducted regularly.
“Honestly, I appreciate this gesture. I wish others would emulate them because we need this kind of intervention in our community,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Donatus Ede from Ashi-Owo Village thanked NAS for the medical intervention, saying it had offered hope to community members, especially the elderly.
“It is very good, and we want it to be done regularly, especially for those of us who are ageing.
“I came to check my eyes and teeth. I was referred to Parklane Hospital for my dental issues and given drugs for my eye problem.
“May God bless the organisers,” he said.
On her part, Mrs Eucharia Amuche said tests revealed that she had malaria parasites.
“I was given drugs for treatment free of charge.
“I thank God and the people who brought this free medical service here; they came to save our lives,” she said.
For Mr Cyril Ani, the outreach was a dream come true.
“I came to complain about my eyesight, and after the checks, I was given eyeglasses.
“This is something I have been worried about because I find it difficult to read and see clearly,” he said.
