From Magnus Eze, Enugu
The member representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, Nkemkanma Kama, has flagged off free medical outreach for his constituents.
The programme which began on Tuesday in Oshiri and Isu communities in Onicha Local Government Area is being sponsored by the Dr. Nkemkanma Kama Foundation.
At least 11,000 residents of the 10 legacy communities of Old Ohaozara consisting of three local government areas will benefit from the five-day programme.
Medical personnel were on ground to offer various services to the people including eye care with free glasses, maternal care, paediatric care, gynaecological care surgical consultation, laboratory investigations and general medical care.
Flagging off the event at Oshiri Central School, Kama noted that it is in fulfillment of his campaign promises to his constituents during the electioneering.
Represented by the member representing Onicha East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Celestine Ogba, the federal lawmaker noted that the programme is in line with the Peoples Charter of Needs of the Governor Ogbonnaya Nwifuru-led administration in the state.
He said: “According to the Peoples Charter of Needs of Governor Francis Nwifuru, health is one of the major needs of the people, so, what we are trying to do is to help people in the rural areas access services of modern health care.
“We are complementing what the Governor is doing and what His wife, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru is doing through her pet project, Better Health for Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO).”
He noted that the outreach is all encompassing as those who require further medical treatment or referral will be referred to tertiary hospitals and their bills paid for.
Coordinator of the outreach, Dr Napoleon Ekem said the programme was a unique one.
“Generally, medical outreach is aimed at meeting the primary health needs of the people. But in this outreach, we have gone ahead to include some secondary health needs. And that is why we have brought consultants who are specialists is their various fields.
“The categories of health challenges that are targeted include gynaecological problems, pediatric problems, surgical problems, ophthalmological problems and general medical problems,” the coordinator said.
According to him, there is arrangement to refer more serious cases to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Hospital Abakaliki for further treatment on the bills of the lawmaker and the foundation.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Okoro Doris thanked the lawmaker for the programme which she said will go a long way in alleviating the medical challenges facing the people.
She said: “This is a reality. I am having eye problem. I came here and they checked me after which they gave me new eyeglasses and drugs.”