Adventist Church sponsors 350 free surgeries in four years
No fewer than 350 free surgeries have been performed in four years by a faith-based organisation, National Council of Eastern Nigeria Adventists (NACENA) in collaboration with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Eastern Nigeria.
The Administrator of NACENA, Mrs Victoria Imo disclosed this on Monday in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia during their 2019 Medical Mission to Nigeria.
Imo, who is also the team leader of the United States of America (USA) based organisation, said that the free medical mission was in collaboration with United Africa SDA Church, Houston, with support from Babcock University, Nigeria.
She said that the surgeries ranged from minor ones such as cyst and bumps removal to major ones such as appendicitis, hernia, myomectomy with emphasis on fibroid removal and total hysterectomy.
The administrator said that the medical mission to Nigeria which began in 2013 became necessary following the unfortunate health condition of most Nigerians, especially, the less privileged.
“It all started with a personal experience. My mother was hospitalised in a medical facility in Nigeria. I discovered that the treatment was substandard felt the need to help our people in this area.
“This culminated into this yearly medical mission and NACENA agreed to take up the project in collaboration with a local church made up of 90 per cent Africans based in Houston,” she said.
Imo said that services rendered during the free medicare were based on availability of medical personnel including doctors and their areas of specialty.
She, however, said: “From our findings, a lot of people have eye problems. We make arrangements for eye specialists who also carry out eye surgeries.
“The health condition of Nigerians is sad and that is why we have been coming and God is using us to save lives. There are much that need to be done in the area of the health of Nigerians, especially, those who cannot afford the needed help.
“These are the people we come for and we pray God to help us to provide the needed care they deserve,” Imo said.
One of the beneficiaries of the free health care, Mrs Glory Kalu expressed joy for the opportunity granted her to participate in the programme in order to take care of her health needs.
The free medical mission was used to inaugurate the state-of-the-art SDA Hospital, Apumiri Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.
The President of the church in Eastern Nigeria, compromising of states in South East and South South regions, Pastor Bassey Udoh while inaugurating the hospital, said that the facility would offer physical healing to patients.
Udoh said that the efforts of the medical team from the USA would not be in vain.
No fewer than 500 persons attended the free medical exercise.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the event included wife of the state governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, the President, Abia North-Central Conference of the church, Pastor Enyinnaya Uguru among others.
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