The Abia State Government, in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA), is set to conduct a comprehensive medical outreach program aimed at providing free healthcare services to the people.
Scheduled to take place from April 4th to 14th, the medical outreach which would comprise a total of 81 physicians, aims at providing treatment for over 5,000 persons with no fewer than 200 surgeries to be conducted.
The Commissioner for information and culture Prince Okey Kanu who made the announcement while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executives Council meeting, said preparations for the medical outreach are already underway, with 65 registration centers where Abians are supposed to go for registration.
“Abians are encouraged to register early enough, particularly those that have very serious surgeries and health issues so that the group that is coming will be able to carry out as much treatment and surgery for most persons during the ten day window.
“The test will focus on areas like colon cancer, prostate enlargement test etc.
“The whole objective is ensure that the average Abian is provided free and easy access to quality healthcare services and facilities”, the Commissioner pointed out.
Prince Kanu while emphasizing that the medical outreach will be entirely free of charge for all participants, underscored the commitment of the state government and ANPA to improving healthcare accessibility in the state.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Glacoma awareness week would commence in the state from the 10th to 16th of this month.
Prince Kanu who described Glacoma as the leading cause of irreversible blindness across the globe said there would be advocacy visits to the 17 Local Government Areas, talk shows, and free screening services for residents.
Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo
Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo said the members of the ANPA would arrive the State in less than a month and advised adults from 40 years and above to visit designated centres across the 3 Senatorial Zones of the State for test before the arrival of the team.
“We are excited and we can’t wait for them to arrive and this is because they are going to be hosting some of the top surgeons that you have in the United States. They are going to be able to conduct some very rare surgeries that we are not able to do right here in Nigeria. Some of them (the surgeries) would have to cost so much for us to do it”.
“From this weekend, most likely the centres would be made available to start running tests for the people that will be able to access the chronoscope care when they arrive, so the testing has to be done first then you will be qualified for the second care. The centres would most likely be FMC and Specialist Centre”.
Dr Betty Emeka Obasi
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi said that the focus of the Governor Otti administration is to revolutionize the health sector, describing the theme for the Glaucoma week, “Uniting for a Glaucoma free World” as commendable and encouraged Abian residents to troop out en masse for the free test.
Speaking on the 2024 International Women’s Day Celebration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bekky Ogechi-Oguama said the event which is celebrated annually on the 8th of March will be marked in the State on the 7th of this month at the International Conference center Umuahia.
She said the theme of this year’s celebration is “Inspire Inclusion” maintaining that activities lined up for the event includes road walk, lectures among others.
