Over one thousand indigenes and residents of Ukwuani Local Govt Area benefited from a one day free medical treatment embarked upon by the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA in collaboration with the Member Representing Ukwuani Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Alphosus Ojo.
The State NMA Chairman, Dr Cletus Etene and Hon Alphosus Ojo in their separate remarks, said the free medical services held at Umutu General Hospital, Umutu was geared towards boosting the healthcare program of the state Govt.
The beneficiaries, including children, middle aged, pregnant women and elderly, were diagnosed and treated on several ailment, except surgery cases, while classes were given out to those with eye related issues.
The people in their numbers mainly from the catchment communities of Umutu, Umuaja and Ebiede were very passionate about the free medical treatment which was part of activities for the 2016 Physicians week of the NMA.
The State NMA Chairman, Dr Cletus Otene stressed the importance of quality health care service to the people, particularly in rural communities, restating the commitment of the body to supporting one of their own, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in promoting healthy living in th state.
Dr Otene thanked Hon Ojo for his partnership with the NMA, stating that as a medical doctor he has shown a lot of passion in giving life line to a good number of indigent indigenes who could have been denied good medical services as a result of their financial standings.
The Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the NMA Physicians week, Dr Stanley Nnoli, said some of the patients would be referred for higher medical attention, courtesy of Hon Alphosus Ojo who have agreed to take care of the bills of the treatments.
Dr Nnoli said the large turnout of the people underscore the growing medical needs of deltans, noting that there was the need for continued collaboration with the state Govt in achieving its Health Contributory Insurance Scheme.
Hon Alphosus Ojo noted with satisfaction the commitment of governor Ifeanyi Okowa to meeting the health needs of the people and promised not to relent in partnering with the state govt and other interest bodies in mitigating health challenges faced by the people.
Hon Ojo, a General medical practitioner and Chairman, Houss Committee on Transport, said the free medical service would go a long way to identifying the ailment more prevalent in the area as data were being collated.
He assured that all identified health issues would be addressed, disclosing plans to raise a medical team that would be attending to some medical needs of the constituents.
Some of the beneficiaries said the free medical treatment was a welcome development as it provided the opportunity to enhance their health status.
They thanked the Nigeria Medical Association and Hon Alphosus Ojo for the gesture which they said was worthy of emulation.
Those with referral cases are expected to keep touch with the sponsors of the free medical service to seek way forward.
The medical team had earlier visited the palace of the Okpala Uku of the Umutu kingdom where the traditional institution commended the doctors for the choice of the community for the free healthcare program.
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