From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Government said it has concluded plans for upward review of the salaries of medical personnel in the state to reduce the number of those leaving for abroad.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo while briefing the press in Government House, on the ongoing Association of Nigerian Physicians in The Americas (ANPA) 2024 medical mission taking place in Umuahia.
She said the medical mission is an extension of what Governor Alex Otti has already started doing in the area of healthcare delivery.
The Commissioner stated that out of about 5000 patients that registered for the free medical exercise, above 300 were for surgeries.
Dr. Okoronkwo assured that all the patients that would be attended to during the medical mission would be followed up by the Abia state government, through the various General Hospitals where they registered for the medical outreach.
The Commissioner said Abia Government would continue to partner the Association of Nigerian Physicians in The Americas (ANPA) and other Abia medical personnel overseas to provide the needed medical services to Abia people.
She revealed that ANPA would not only carry out surgeries and attend to other medical issues, but would also conduct CPD training for about 200 medical doctors and other medical personnel through telemedicine after the medical mission in the state.
Dr. Okoronkwo disclosed that patients are being treated and surgeries conducted at FMC, Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara General hospital and Madonna hospital and appreciated members of the ANPA for their interest in Abia for also providing consumables for the medical mission.
The team lead and President of ANPA, Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu who said the mission of the association is “A healthier Nigeria, a Healthier World”, explained that ANPA helps the needy to secure health, adding that the vision of the association was aligned with the vision of Governor Otti and assured that they would be able to achieve their goal in the medical mission.
The Mission Chair, Dr. Dele Ekunsanmi said the team members are making personal sacrifices, adding that the medical mission was one of the ways of giving back to the society.
He assured they were committed to affecting lives positively through the medical mission.
“We have about 60 volunteer doctors from United States and we have more than a 100 volunteers locally here in Nigeria.”
The Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of ANPA 2024 Medical Mission and MD, FMC, Umuahia ,Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, and some Government officials were present at the press briefing.