A non-profit group, Ibesikpo Asutan Organisation California Incorporated, has said it is ready to partner with the Akwa Ibom State Government to improve healthcare delivery and help close gaps in the health sector.
The group made the call at a dinner held to mark the end of its four-day free medical outreach at ImaBridge Africa Medical Centre, Ibesikpo Asutan, Akwa Ibom State.
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Iniobong Okon Ubon, said the organisation is made up of indigenes of Ibesikpo Asutan living in the United States who want to give back to their community by providing free medical care, especially to the poor.
She explained that although the group has carried out this outreach for four years, partnering with the State Government is necessary to address the many health challenges in the area. She noted that over 30 medical personnel travelled from the U.S. for this year’s mission.
Dr. Ubon praised the current administration for declaring a state of emergency on health but expressed concern that some villages still lack health centres, while others have only one nurse attending to everyone.
She said, “We need to sit down and identify the areas of need so we can work together to close the gap. This is the first time a government official has spent time with us and taken us on a tour. We would love to partner with the Commissioner for Health; he has a vision and we want to work with him for the good of our people.
“Some villages don’t have a health centre, and where they exist, only one nurse is available. I told the people I would not return for another outreach if there is no general hospital. We are not here to build hospitals, but we can offer our services and drugs free of charge.”
Speaking on the outcome of the outreach, she said that out of the 135 patients prescreened for surgery, 121 were successfully operated on. The remaining 14 either did not show up because their pastors discouraged them or had high blood pressure that could not be stabilised during the programme.
“We prescreened 135 patients for surgery, and at the end, we operated on 121. Some had very high blood pressure, so we gave them medication instead. Some did not come because their pastors or prophets told them not to. That is their choice. But those who came were successfully treated,” she said.
“The surgeries included hernia, goitre, fibroid, lumps and bumps. We are happy we were able to help these people for free. We also gave out anti-malaria drugs, blood pressure drugs, and more.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Asukwo Etuk, thanked the sponsors and volunteers for their sacrifice and encouraged others who are capable to support people in need.
“We thank those who organised and funded this outreach. You risked your lives and used your resources to make it a success. Your good deeds will not go unrewarded. Please continue to remember home,” he said.
