It was excitement galore in Osusu,Aba North Local Government Area, of Abia State, as the Victor Chinedu Egbulefu(VCE), foundation was launched,with its first community health fair, giving over 500 Abians free medical care.
Drugs worth over millions of naira were distributed freely to the elderly and the less privileged,who ordinarily cannot have access to quality drugs or a good health facility.
Medical experts were on ground to handle cases like Hypertension,Ulcer, diabetes, infections and even stroke.
It was indeed a reassuring moment,as beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy, having one of their illustrious sons, Victor Chinedu Egbulefu,who did not join others living abroad to criticize the government of Abia,but came back home, to do his part,as a way of complimenting the efforts of the governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
Victor Egbulefu,is one man that is passionate about human development,a patriot that loves his people and decided to come back home to address the various health challenges of his people and as well, give quality health care to them, through the launch of his first community health fair,and the Victor Chinedu Egbulefu (VCE), Foundation.
Narrating to the press how the VCE vision started, the founder,Dr Victor Chinedu Egbulefu,a pharmacist, practicing in the United States of America,said the poor state of our health care sector propelled him to come back home to contribute his own quota in beefing up the pitiable state of our health sector. Rather than watch and criticize the government from afar,he decided to do his own part,so that his community can be healthy.
Dr Egbulefu is the first son of Elder and Mrs Mark Egbulefu of Osusu Community,among other four siblings.
He did his undergraduate studies in the University of Houston and later proceeded to the Temple University, Philadelphia,where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2006.
Dr Egbulefu,is one Abian, living in diaspora that have the health and development of his people as paramount.
Few years ago, the vision of giving back to his community was birthed.His usual drive and love to see his people healthy, is not far from the reason the VCE foundation was formed.
According to him, precisely three to four years ago,a brother of his,who is a surgeon, carried out a surgery in Isiugwu with a torch light,this he said got him angered and he decided to do everything possible to correct some of the abnormalities in our health sector.
He said the health outreach would be done quarterly,with plans to reach out to other communities in Abia,for the purpose of tracking,educating and treating deadly ailments on time,so that it doesn’t degenerate into worst cases.
Dr Egbulefu further regretted the laicadesical attitude of Nigeria government towards the health sector, which he said has contributed to the increased rate of terminal diseases in Nigeria,with Stroke, most prevalent.
He added that when there is a good health care system in Nigeria, before a sickness can advance,it has been arrested.
The founder of the foundation revealed that hypertension cannot kill someone, but it could cause other sicknesses that could take one’s life,but stated that early health care can advert it.
Apart from his sterling contribution on the area of health,Dr Egbulefu said he would delve into the area of sports in the nearest future, discovering raw talents, stressing that he would also help train youths on entrepreneurship.
“Human development is very important to me, whatever i am today, cannot be complete without ‘Ala Igbo’, therefore,am ready to give back to the society,either through scholarship schemes, giving of shelter, stomach infrastructure, health care among others”,he further revealed.
The Pharmacist stated that even though finance might be a hindrance,he said he wouldn’t mind sourcing for funds from his friends and colleagues in the US,to assist him actualize his dream for his people, adding that he would also love to partner with the government.
Already,Dr Egbulefu had given out scholarships to people from primary to tertiary levels and has also brought quality drugs for the treatment of various ailments.
The founder urged other Abians who live abroad and outside Abia state,to come back home and invest,so that the economy of Abia can be stimulated.
However,the philanthropist,advised governments across board,to treat human life as their priority, adding that any life they value,they would do anything to protect it.
“How can you build a health centre without any health facility”,he asked.
For him,he said he would not relent in doing his own part, stating that by June/July of the year,his medical team would repeat the same free health care in another community in Abia,this he said would continue, until all the communities in Abia are reached.
One of the Medical experts on ground attending to patients,Dr Emmanuel Ogbonna,commended the efforts of Dr Egbulefu,for coming to assist and compliment the effort of the government on the health sector, revealing that the drugs brought are of high quality and hundred percent original, adding that he was happy prescribing them to patients.
Dr Ogbonna called on other sons of Abian who are well to do,but are yet to give back to the society,to recognize the health of their people and seek to add value to their lives.
The beneficiaries could not hold back their joy,as they poured out numerous blessings on the founder,VCE foundation.
In their separate speeches,Mrs Cynthia Mentor, who is an Ulcer patient and Pa Friday Omenazu,a stroke patient, expressed joy for the love shown them by their son, appreciating his gesture and calling on others to emulate him.
