Constituents laud Ebonyi Speaker over free Medical outreach
Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki
Over 500 beneficiaries of free Medical outreach of the speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly Moses Ije-odunwa have contributed to rain blessings on him for attracting such gesture to them at this critical moment in the country where Nigerian are battling to put food on the table for family members
The medical outreach in partnership with the pet project of the wife of the Ebonyi state Governor, Uzoamaka Nwifuru,(BERWO) benefited: rural pregnant women, nursing mothers, elderly persons and children under five years.
have commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief, Moses Ije Odunwa, for sponsoring a free medical outreach aimed at improving maternal child health and overall wellbeing of the rural dwellers.
The health intervention program which was held at Udumowo Primary Health Center in the Inyimegu community, Ikwo Local Government Area, provided also free screening, treatment, and essential drugs to beneficiaries who could not afford quality healthcare.
Expressing gratitude, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Friday Charity, a nursing mother, described the outreach as a lifesaving intervention noting to access Medical care at their levels has become too difficult and was expensive as many of them cannot afford proper treatment adding the initiative has given them access to doctors, drugs, and essential medical services without any cost,
Another beneficiary, Ngozi Nweke, lauded the Speaker for prioritizing the health of women and children. saying It was not everyday such an opportunity present itself she maintained that they are grateful because this gesture has helped many of them who have been struggling to access medical care for themselves and family members.
Umunna Joy and Happiness Itumo emphasized the need for other well meaning individuals both in government and organizations to emulate the Odunwa’s initiative, noting that the medical services they received would have cost a lot of money in a private hospital. As they pray to God to bless the Speaker for remembering rural women and children.
Earlier in his remarks the Speaker, Moses Ije- Odunwa, represented by his wife, Mrs. Florence Odunwa, stressed that the free medical outreach aligns with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs on Health which ensures free and quality healthcare for the vulnerable groups and that of his wife, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru whose Pet-project, BERWO, provided for the health needs of rural women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons across the 13 LGAs of the State.
He promised to sustain the gesture as his way of stepping down the Governor’s health policy to the grassroot and urged beneficiaries to utilize the healthcare facility to improve their health and wellness.
The team leader, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), Prof. Nkechi Echiegu, explained that lack of access to quality healthcare was the major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in rural areas hence, the resolve of the wife of the Governor, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru to reach all nooks and crannies of the State with free and quality healthcare service delivery
She appreciated the Speaker for his unequalled passion in caring for the health needs of his constituents through the intervention.
The Baby Shower Desk Officer and Assistant, State Health Educator, Mrs Ngozi Alo, disclosed that the intervention included ANC for pregnant women, MCH services, family planning, and TB & HIV screenings. “We also educated mothers on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) uptake,” she said.
According to her, over 65 pregnant women received antenatal care, while about 200 children under five benefited from MCH services and advised pregnant women to always visit healthcare facilities for safe delivery.
Highlight of the event was the donation of free tuberculosis screening kits by the State Ministry of Health TB Unit in collaboration with Caritas Foundation of Nigeria where 85 persons benefited, donation of HIV test kits by ECWS as effort marking 2025 World TB Day, distribution of Pampers and other essential items to over 300 nursing mothers and an appeal to other political leaders to emulate Chief Odunwa’s generosity to improve healthcare access in rural communities in the State.
