From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A Benue Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ujah Abah Education and Health Foundation, (UAEHF), has commenced her annual free medical outreach with over 500 patients receiving various medical care including drugs within the first two days.
The annual Ujah Abah free medical outreach, 2023, which kick started last Saturday, December 9, in Aidogodo Okpoga, in Okpokwu Local Government Area, (LGA), of the State, attracted patients across the local government and medical experts from all part of the country.
Addressing the medical experts, beneficiaries, community leaders among others, the founder and promoter of the annual free medical outreach, Professor Innocent Ujah, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for the commencement of the 2023 free medical outreach despite emerging challenges.
Ujah who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, explained that the decision to sustain the annual free medical outreach in rural communities is a way of giving back to the society and humanity his little contribution.
The University don, who appealed to spirited individuals to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, said it is better to save life than kills cows for burials.
He urged people from the neighbouring communities to take advantage of the free medical outreach to get examined, tested, treated and probably referred.
Chairman of the Free Medical Outreach, Dr Michael Onoja, commended Prof Ujah for sustaining the annual free medical outreach with the current economic situation especially with the high cost of drugs and other related medical items.
Onoja described the promoter as a man of integrity and humility despite achieving so much, said the massive turn out including elderly and children have impacted positively on the health development of the grassroots people.
Also speaking, a Consultant Ophthalmologist with the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Dr Patricia Musa, said over 100 patients with eye related issues like cataract, refractive errors, presbyopia, allergic conjunctivitis, and inherited retina among others were attended to.
At the General Out Patient Department, (GOP), Boniface Adokole, commended Prof Ujah for the initiatives and for giving back to the society through medical services to the rural communities and prayed God to bless him.
Some of the patients, including Maria Ode appreciated Prof Ujah for reaching out to them and called on other well to do sons and daughters of their community to emulate his goodwill and reach out to their community so that more people can be accommodated.
Madam Ode who disclosed she has been sick for a long time but didn’t have money to go to the hospital, expressed happiness that “today I have been taken care of with free drugs and most importantly, I have glasses to read which was not even part of my primary problem.”