Obinna Odogwu, Abakaliki
Relief came the way of the sick in Ukawu and Ishinkwo communities in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as the member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, offered free medical treatment recently.
From far and near, the people converged on Community Secondary School, Ukawu to receive treatment. Many of the beneficiaries defied the scorching sun and trekked long distances.
To be sure that as many patients as possible were handled, and satisfactorily too, the organisers contracted the services of 49 medical personnel to anchor the outreach programme. In that number, 16 were medical doctors, four midwives, four scientists and 25 health assistants. Also available was a pharmacy section stocked with drugs.
The medical outreach was organized under the umbrella of Caring Heart Foundation floated by the federal lawmaker, in conjunction with Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT).
Okorie told Daily Sun that he was moved to sponsor the free medical treatment as part of efforts to meet the health needs of his people. He said he was passionate about the welfare of his constituents, and has always done everything within his powers to put smiles on their faces.
“This is very impressive and it shows that the stakeholders of Ukawu have done a wonderful job.
“Indeed, one of the consultants is the town union president of Ukawu. He just did the mobilisation. You can see the outcome. I am impressed with what they did.
“The massive turnout does not mean that they have much of health needs more than some other areas. I take it to mean that the people here work in much collaboration with one another to be able to bring out the people who have need,” he said.
The lawmaker disclosed that he would be doing some intervention works on the dilapidated health centre in the community so that it would become functional again.
Isinkwo and Ukawu were two more lucky communities in the area to benefit from the outreach programme after Akaeze and Ugwulangwu in February and March, respectively, while Abaomege benefitted in April.
President-General of Ukawu autonomous community, Dr. Ikele Francis and one of the doctors that anchored the programme, lauded the lawmaker for the free healthcare services.
“I wish to say that God has given us a wonderful leader who knows what it is to have the feeling of those he is representing,” he said.
Also, representative of AMURT Foundation, Dr Agu Martins Nonso, described the outing as “successful.”
“As I am talking to you, they have informed me that they have enrolled 500 patients in the adult section and we have seen over 300 children. Also, we have seen up to 40 pregnant women and we are hoping to see more before we leave.
“We have been going with 12 doctors but today we have 16. We have four midwives, four scientists, and 25 health assistants. And some of them we have consultants in paediatrics and other skilled persons,” he added.
Meanwhile, a cross section of the beneficiaries who spoke with Daily Sun expressed happiness over the lawmaker’s kind gesture.