From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Over 3,000 residents of Akwa Ibom State have benefitted from a free medical outreach organized by Gilgal Christian Centre as part of its humanitarian service and health awareness campaign.
The health campaign, which was held at the church auditorium in Ubon Akwa, Obot Akara Local Government Area, witnessed an unprecedented turnout, resembling a major end-of-year crusade. People from various communities gathered to take advantage of the free medical services, including the distribution of drugs, eyeglasses, and treatment for various ailments.
Speaking with Salient Times News during the event, the General Overseer of Gilgal Christian Centre, Pastor Dr. Jerry Udoh, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the programme despite the logistical and financial challenges involved.
“We thank God for a successful outreach. More than 3,000 people showed up from different communities to receive free medical care,” he said. “It shows the level of need and the health burden many are carrying, especially in rural communities like Ubon Akwa, which has no functional health centre.”
Pastor Udoh noted that the dire situation inspired the church’s ongoing effort to establish a community health centre in Ubon Akwa. He called on the government to urgently come to the aid of the people by providing a fully equipped healthcare facility.
“Many of them are suffering from preventable conditions but lack the financial means for treatment. It is heartbreaking to hear of people dying daily due to a lack of basic healthcare,” he lamented.
In addition to the health campaign, Pastor Udoh also drew attention to the poor state of infrastructure at the Comprehensive Secondary School in Ubon Akwa. He described it as appalling that students were learning on bare floors in dilapidated classrooms.
“This moved me deeply, and we immediately began the renovation of the school,” he stated.
According to him, the church has now constructed an eight-classroom block capable of accommodating 50 students per class, along with a new library, agricultural science lab, biology lab, and physics lab — all aimed at fostering a more conducive learning environment and encouraging school enrollment.
He also revealed that a police station has been built for the community and will be commissioned and handed over in the coming weeks.
The outreach drew joyous reactions from community members, many of whom expressed profound appreciation for the intervention. With smiles and tears of gratitude, beneficiaries hailed Pastor Dr. Jerry Udoh and described him as “God-sent,” saying many lives were saved through the medical outreach.
Pastor Udoh assured that the next phase of the campaign would include the donation of wheelchairs and other essential medical items, reaffirming the church’s commitment to meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of the people.
Photos: Pastor Dr. Jerry Udoh and wife during the health awareness campaign at Gilgal Christian Centre; scenes of beneficiaries receiving treatment during the outreach.
