No fewer than 500 persons including women and children of Owo community in Nkanu East local government of Enugu State recently, benefitted from a free medical outreach programme held at the St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Owo.
The one-day medical outreach, which was organised by a non-profit organization, Emeka Okenwa Foundation, included free drugs for malaria Arthritis, eye glasses, hiccups, heart burnt and drugs for common illnesses, counseling and awareness talk, blood sugar level checks, malaria, hepatitis tests and sight checks. The foundation also
shared clothes among the villagers.
Coordinator of the programme, Uju Okenwa, in a speech, said that the foundation considered it necessary to reach out to the rural communities,
to show concern for their plights.
She added that the programme was aimed at giving the rural dwellers a sense of belonging through medication. She
urged the beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the prescription on the drugs they received.
One of the beneficiaries, Justina Arum,
thanked the medical team for the initiative especially the free hypertension and blood sugar
screening.
She was treated for High blood pressure and eye problems.
“I am very grateful to God for providing Emeka Okenwa foundation for this
free medical attention we received today. This is the first time the people
of Owo community are witnessing this gesture. Many people have been
battling with different types of ailments but due to lack of fund they have not been able to run any test”. She prayed God to replenish the organizers.
Another beneficiary Mr. Cyril Nnaji, said he was treated of Arthritis, hiccup and heart burnt. He said the first free medical outreach the community witnessed was strictly for members of the Anglican Church. “This is why I am happy that this one is for all not matter the denomination. Many people might not know the importance of this gesture as it has
succeeded in rescuing so many lives as peoplewould not have afforded the
fund diagnosis or purchase of the drugs”.
Rev. Canon Samuel M. Christian, administrator of St. Jude’s Anglican Church
said he was impressed by the turnout which showed that the people were
really in need of help. He said the people of the community have not
benefitted from such act of benevolence in the past three years.
“What impressed me most is the idea of coming to the rural area to
administer free drugs to the people. Most of them are indigent widows who
cannot ordinarily afford these drugs. Even the efficient and smooth way the
programme was handled is something else. I give kudos to Emeka Okenwa
foundation for remembering Owo community”.
Amarachi Ani, a senior secondary student with her mother, Veronica also
expressed happiness for being part of the beneficiaries. “We are happy that this medical team came to our place with free drugs. This gesture has given us a sense of belonging. We can use the little money we have to take care of other things”.
The outreach was handled by a team of medical personnel comprising doctors,
pharmacists, optics, nurses and other medical related workers. The climax
owas the cutting of a birthday cake in honour of Emeka Okenwa.
