It was a three-day relief for the people of the communities in Nnewi North and Nnewi South Local Government Areas of Anambra State following the free medical outreach organized by a non-governmental organisation, Chidi Anyaegbu Foundation in collaboration with Living Hope Medical Centre, USA.
The medical mission which took place at Pat-Angelina Anyaegbu Hospital Amichi, Nnewi South council area drew over two thousand persons who converged on the hospital to receive lifeline treatments and medical attention.
Beneficiaries were examined and treated for illnesses such as eye and tooth problems, prostate cancer, fibroid, among other health-related problems.
The opening ceremony which began with an inter-denominational service by the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, the Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor, revealed that there are two types of illnesses, the physical and spiritual, saying that when any of the sickness is not treated, it leads to death and challenged them to receive the drugs and treatment with faith, as all healings come from God.
Speaking to journalists, the Founders of Chidi Anyaegbu Foundation, Chief and Mrs Chidi Anyaegbu of Chisco Group revealed that the family began the outreach years ago because of the increasing number of avoidable and regrettable deaths noticed in the society and as such it became a way of giving back to the society and reducing the mortality rate.
While donating a state-of-the art ambulance to the hospital, they also pledged the continuation of the free medical outreach, saying the foundation would continue to give hope to the hopeless.
The co-sponsor of the medical mission and Founder, Living Hope Christian Ministry Worldwide, Dr. And Mrs. Onyebuchi Acho, explained that Living Hope Medical Centre, USA is a religious-based non-governmental medical organization that seeks to address the limited access to healthcare among the poor
The Commissioner for Environment, Engineer. Felix Odimegwu and the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi South, Mr. Van-George Ezeogidi, described the medical mission as the biggest in Africa with tremendous impact on the lives of the communities and pointed out that the move is in line with the state government’s PPCP call across the state in order to escalate development in all parts of the state.
Some of the beneficiaries, Messsrs Augustina Chukwujekwu and Sabinus Ihuoha who received eye surgeries, with songs of joy, said that they have been living in pains over the years as a result of the eye problems and lack of funds for treatment.
Recounting their experiences, an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Onyinye Onyia revealed that the major eye problems they treated were refractive errors and glaucoma which could cause irreversible blindness among the patients and asked everyone above forty years to embark on yearly eye check-up and ensure proper cooking of meat as it could have effects on the eyes.
She also urged pregnant women to ensure they keep to their antenatal appointments while Dr. Chimaobi Evuchaewe said that he joined the programme over ten years ago listing diabetes, hypertension, hernia, thyroid and fibroid as major problems they have encountered.
He said the hospital is fully equipped to carryout major surgeries without fear of complications as they have qualified doctors and physicians.