From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Medical Doctors in Afikpo, Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State under the aegis of Conference of Afikpo Medical and Dental Doctors (CAMD), have conducted free surgeries on 250 eye and cartheracts patients.
The Doctors also distributed 600 eye glasses during the free medical treatment.
The free medical outreach by the Doctors lasted for four days to promote access to quality healthcare in the area.
Afikpo, predominantly agrarian community is one of the ancient community in the south east region of the country.
It is one of the biggest cities in Ebonyi state with concentration deposits of certain materials that are of economic value in their land. The city is blessed with mineral resources such as: Quartz, Limestone, and Granite.
The people of Afikpo had enjoyed access to good health facilities and education, ranging from the old Imo state and then Abia.
Dr Victor Uduma, Chairman CAMD said the medical outreach was necessitated due to the current poor access to health facilities occasioned by the high cost of living across the county.
Uduma listed some of the Medical services rendered by the Health personnel in the area to include: free medical consultation, eye surgery and glasses, gynaecological and genetial surgeries, dental care and daily health talks.
“This is part of our own social responsibilities for our people as Medical Practitioners.
“So. We are here today to offer free medical care to our people. All we are doing here are free of charge for all patients.
“Yes, we embarked on this programme because we understand that they are so many of our people, who do not have the financial ability to have good medical care due to the high cost treatment.
“Here, we are ready to render free eye surgery and give out 600 eye glasses to those that have eye problems”, he stated.
Timothy Nwachi, Chairman of Afikpo local government area, said the medical outreach was a welcome development his people in the community.
Nwachi pledged support to sustain the programme in the efforts to boost healthcare of the people.
“We need to make our people to be to have good health and promote health policy of qualitative healthcare of Ebonyi government. I commend the organiser of the outreach,” he added.
Also Speaking, Dr Donald Egwu, Chairman of the Organising Committee said the turnout of patients were encouraged and called on people to embrace the free healthcare.
A beneficiary, Grace Itor, also hailed the organiser and thanked God for creating the opportunity for them to have the free medical treatment.
