It was jubilation galore during the week of 8 to 12 November 2022 as more than 5000 Abians were opportuned to benefit from the itinerant Prof Gregory Ibe Free Medical and Surgical Outreach.
This is sequel to the recommencement of the 2022 edition of the annual health intervention programme, which was momentarily put on hold on 4 September 2022 after covering 24 centres in the 3 senatorial zones of Abia state. According to data collated during that first phase of the exercise, a total of 12,072 patients who presented diverse health challenges received different levels of medical intervention including appropriate diagnostic examinations, consultation procedures and drug administration, while 5,683 eye patients were treated and gifted glasses.
With the objective of extending the exercise to yet uncovered communities, the current phase commenced at Afugiri Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA before moving to Amandioru in Ikwuano LGA, subsequently to Uzuakoli and Itumbuzo in Bende LGA.
Thereafter, it was the turn of Isuochi, Nneato, Lokpanta and Umuchieze communities in Umunneochi LGA, as the dedicated team of 60 member medical personnel moved from one community to another, freely delivering critical health intervention to many.
Speaking to newsmen after interfacing with the medical team, a patient from the Uzuakoli centre, Ngozi Eke hailed the exercise, stating that she received quality drugs and glasses without paying anything. In a separate reaction, Sir Nick Etim, a retired civil servant from Itumbuzo prayed God to bless Prof Ibe for initiating such calibre of “life-saving health intervention that brought succour to poor people living in government rejected areas(GRA) free of charge”.
Correspondents report that the exercise was complemented with distribution of branded aprons to traders in markets within each community of coverage, while commuters had the pleasure of being transported home with buses in the fleet of Prof Gregory Ibe Free Bus Scheme.
See more photos from the exercise below:
