No fewer than 900 persons including aged men and women have received free medical treatment for various ailments in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The health program was organized by Seadove Generale Surveillance company Limited, an indigenous engineering and security solutions company in partnership with the Voice of Community and Environmental Rights Initiative, as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility to communities.
Speaking with our correspondent on Friday at the Base Abat Primary Health Centre, venue of the intervention, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Kufre Abasi,a 60-years old farmer,described the programme as lifesaving.
He expressed the hope that his high blood pressure condition which has been tormenting him for over five years will be giving adequate attention.
”This program for me is a lifesaver for most people like us. I have been battling with high blood pressure over a period of five years now, and no money for proper medical attention.” Abasi said
Another patient, Mrs Mary Udom expressed delight at the medical education received during the program saying she is now more knowledgeable on how to prevent diseases
The company’s Executive Director, Business Development and Strategy Mr. Godwin Ekpo had earlier while fielding questions from newsmen after a brief opening ceremony said”We hold a big responsibility to the communities where we operate and maintain an active Corperate Social Responsibility program that delivers real impact.
”Our target is for this program is 900 people, we want to attend to 300 people everyday of the program. From the screening today , we will know the number of surgeries but our target is 40 minor surgeries during the outreach.” Ekpo said
He described the turnout for the first day as overwhelming, adding during the program community education, medical examination, laboratory screening, treatment, eye care and surgeries would be carried out.
”The turnout today which is the first day has been very overwhelming, we have a large crowd of Community members who have come from far and near from the operating five local governments of Onna, Eket , Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, and Mkpat-Enin, covering about 38 communities.
The chairman of Onna LGA Mr Kufre Umoren who was represented by the Vice chairman, Mrs Mfon Jeremiah, appreciated the company for the initiative, which he noted was in line with the ARISE agenda of the governor, Umo Eno.
While pledging cooperation and security, the chairman called on the people to come out and patronize the program
In his remarks, the village head of Ikot Ntuen the community, Ette Idung , Ubong Ekanem, lauded the initiative and called on other companies operating in the community to emulate the Seadove company .
By Lovina Emole
900 Receive Free Treatment at A’Ibom Community Health Intervention Outreach
