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From Geoege Onyejiuwa, Owerri
No fewer than 2000 persons have benefitted from the free medical mission of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), which is part of the organisation’s social advocacy and service to humanity.
Speaking at the event held at the Orogwe Community Healthcare Centre, in Owerri West Council Area of Imo State, at weekend, the National President, Dr Joseph Oteri said that they came to the community to carry out free medical mission as part of its social advocacy and support for the less privileged in the society.
His words: “We are here to support this Orogwe community with a free medical mission. Normally, after our annual meeting we discuss and select a community where we will hold our free medical mission in support of that community. You will see that we have a lot of medical doctors, pharmacists and other medical specialists to ensure that we attend to as many people as possible.”
“This medical mission is one of the programmes of our 49th konverge here in Imo State. Am impressed at the huge turnout of the people. In fact, but for the quick intervention of our medical doctors, a child who was brought here was already in a serious health condition and our medical doctors were able to stabilise him. We do this annually to assist those who cannot access quality medical care because of money.”
Also, the leader of the medical team, Dr Daniel said that they aimed to treat as many as 3000 persons during the two days event.
“We have attended to about two thousand persons with various health issues outside surgeries. We have issued drugs and eyeglasses to those with sight problems. We have about 41 medical doctors, pharmacists and other medical experts here to ensure that the people get quality treatment,” Daniel explained.
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Also speaking, Chief Bart Akelemo, Chief Programme Officer of NAS said: “The ideals of NAS is to continue to promote a society where the people have access to resources, quality roads, medicare and employment. What we are doing this free medical mission to drive the ideals of our founding fathers. This free medical mission has helped those people who cannot afford the high medical bills at the hospital as a result may seek for an alternative treatment which may not be the best and most of those people are here. I must say that I am impressed with the large turnout because we have announced that it is strictly free of charge “ . He said.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent expressed gratuity to the organisers for bringing the free medical mission to their community.
Mrs Chizoba Igwe said that she was diagnosed with malaria and typhoid fever and that she was given the drugs free of charge.
“I have been feeling unwell for the past three days. So, when I heard that some people were coming to the health centre to give free medical treatment I came here and after they tested me, it was malaria and typhoid fever. They gave me free drugs and I didn’t pay for the test as well. This is the first time I will be benefiting from such free treatment since I married in this community three years ago.”
Similarly, Mrs Sylvia Igwe said she had a sight problem and had to come for the free medical mission and she was attended to.
“I came here because of my sight and when they checked it, they gave me some drugs as well as eyeglasses free of charge. You can see that there are a lot of people here waiting to be attended. We thank them for remembering our community,” she said.
