Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has flagged off a five-day free medical outreach aimed at providing various surgical operations and medical services to residents of the State.
The outreach, organised by the United States-based Living Hope Foundation in collaboration with the Abia State Government, was launched on Sunday at the Living Hope Medical Centre, Eluama, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the initiative is part of his administration’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible through both public and standard private medical facilities.
The Governor emphasized that in addition to the State Government’s efforts in infrastructural renewal, it is also partnering reputable health organisations to improve healthcare delivery in the State.
“What we are doing here is partnering with this global health organisation, the Living Hope Foundation, which has been conducting free medical outreaches for over 36 years.
“The State Government is collaborating to enhance the impact of these services, aligning them with our administration’s goals. Beyond infrastructure, we are addressing manpower needs by hiring skilled professionals to close existing gaps in the healthcare sector, the Governor said.
He expressed appreciation for the comprehensive nature of the services being offered, noting that surgeries for hernias, lumps, tumours, and other conditions are being provided free of charge by the visiting medical team from the United States, comprising about 40 personnel.
Governor Otti further disclosed that the outreach is taking place not only at the Living Hope Medical Centre but also at the Isuikwuato General Hospital, with local medical practitioners in Abia working alongside the foreign team to ensure success.
The Governor commended Dr. Onyebuchi Acho, founder of the Living Hope Foundation, and his wife, for their longstanding dedication to delivering free healthcare services in Abia over the past 36 years.
“For 36 years, you’ve stood in the gap to rescue our people, doing something phenomenal that is difficult to fully describe.
“Each year, you return with a team of expatriate doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to carry out this free medical outreach that has impacted millions in this region.
“You have changed the health narrative of Isuikwuato, and we are proud of you in Abia State. Your example reflects what this government preaches, service to humanity. You are the kind of people we celebrate”, Governor Otti stated.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Acho described the outreach as a ministry dedicated to helping those struggling and dying needlessly.
“We’ve been using this ministry to reach out to Abia State and other parts of Nigeria for the past 36 years to save lives.
“I’m excited because I’ve known the Governor for a long time. There have been many Governors in this state, but this is the first time I’m thinking, Wow, here is a man who genuinely loves and cares for his people like I do.
“Dr. Otti is wonderful, and I’m glad to partner with him. I look forward to a lasting partnership with his government”, Dr. Acho added.
The event was graced by dignitaries including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd); the Executive Secretary, Hospital Management Board; and the Head of Medical Outreach in the Ministry of Health while several patients have already received free medical attention and undergone surgeries on the first day of the exercise.
