NewsProbe News from Nigeria and Around the world
Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala, has urged the citizenry to key into Anambra State Health Insurance Agency’s subsidized medical care scheme for effective medical coverage.
The Commissioner stated this yesterday at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo in Aguata Local Government Area. He said the state health insurance scheme was one of the legacies of the
Obiano administration.
According to him, with N12,000 annually, one can access affordable and effective health care services through ASHIA. Dr Okpala added that the State under Governor Obiano was poised to give Ndi Anambra adequate healthcare saying that every ward in the State has a health centre with good facilities.
Dr Okpala however disclosed that immunization against meningitis would soon commence across the State as the vaccines had been tested, saying that churches, schools, markets, community leaders, parents, especially mothers were being sensitized on its importance.
In another related development, Dr Willie Onwuocha, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state has said that no fewer than 2000 persons have enjoyed the free medical service provided by the Igbo Union based in Ghent Belgium.
Onwuocha made the disclosure to newsmen yesterday in Enugwu-Ukwu community. According to him, a group of Igbo union members, led by Mr Okechukwu Emeh, came on a medical mission in the hospital from Sept. 6 to Sept.19,2019.
The CMO commended the team as they concluded the medical mission for the year and for leaving behind some of their medical personnel to observe the people who were operated upon, before returning home.
“Emeh, as the President of the union, led 16 other persons for the purpose of the free medical mission.
“This was a rare display; foreigners showing such truth and confidence of their safety in a distant land, it shows the community played a good host,” he said.
Onwuocha said the hospital had played host to the group and described their humanitarian services as superb.
He urged other Igbo based abroad to emulate such gesture of giving back to their home town.
According to him, about 5, 000 patients had registered for the medical mission since the announcement was made to the community and other neighbouring towns in late August 2019.
He said that cases including surgery, ailments, obstetrics and gynaecological cases were listed for areas of attention.
“Unfortunately the airline that the team joined while coming for the medical mission did not arrive same day with their medical tools.
“The mission was slated for September 6; it started on the September .10 and the medical tools were delivered on Sept. 16, 2019.
“The delay in delivering the medical tools really affected their mission as to the number of persons they had planned to attend to,” he said.
The CMO told newsmen that 92 persons were operated for hernia, as well as other issues that required surgical operations, while 1,300 persons consulted and were administered medications based on their findings; the remaining were given medical advice and referrals where necessary.
According to him, the team came with quality medical equipment and medical personnel of repute.
“I commend their ability to ensure the success of the mission in spite of their set back.’’
Onwuocha said the hospital’s management would be willing to receive the team some time in 2020, as they promised to repeat the mission to treat registered persons who were not attended to.
