Abia APGA guber candidate begins free medical, surgical outreach

Abia APGA guber candidate begins free medical, surgical outreach

By Steve Oko

Determined to bridge the gap created by the inadequacies in the Abia health sector following the on-going strike by doctors due to months of unpaid salaries of some of their colleagues, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, governorship candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, will today, August 2, 2022, begin a free medical and surgical outreach in the state.

The exercise will be flagged off at the Okpara Square Event Centre Isi-Gate Umuahia by 11:30am.

According to a press statement issued in Umuahia by Hon. Boniface Ikwuagwu, Administrative Secretary of  Gregory Iyke Foundation, which is the philanthropic organization established by Prof Ibe in 1991 as a platform for execution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the 2022 edition of the annual programme is designed in three phases covering Zonal, Local Government Councils and Ward levels.

 The statement read in part: “Gregory Iyke Foundation is pleased to announce the official flag off of the Prof Gregory Ibe Medical and Surgical Outreach for 2022. Against the backdrop of the current economic challenges confronting most Nigerians, nay Abians, and in keeping with the passionate desire of our founder, Prof Gregory Ibe to continue championing constant delivery of hope to the hopeless through humanitarian interventions, the 2022 edition will be executed in three phases, namely, Senatorial Zones, Local Government Areas and Wards. The reason for embarking on the three phases down to the ward level is to ensure that no sick Abian is left untreated.

“As it is consistent with the outreach, the programme is designed to diagnose and treat over 20,000 patients, covering optical cases, physiotherapy related issues, acute and chronic diseases. Arrangements have also been perfected with some partnering medical centres to handle surgical operations for needing patients, while all treatment procedures, inclusive of the surgeries will be delivered to the patients at no cost as the entire exercise is free of charge”.

According to the statement, the zonal stage, which comprises the first phase has been designed to commence with Abia Central Senatorial zone, and will be officially flagged off by Hon Obinna Ichita, the Abia State Deputy governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and member representing Aba South in the Abia State House of Assembly, on behalf of Prof Ibe on Tuesday 2nd August 2022 at the Okpara Square Event Centre Umuahia.

A comprehensive calendar rolled out by the organizers disclose that sequel to the flag off, the six-day free medical exercise will tarry in Umuahia for three days before moving to the Umunneato axis of Abia Central zone, commencing at Isiala Ngwa North before terminating at Isiala Ngwa South on Sunday 7th August.

According to the statement,  a team of over 50 healthcare personnel comprising Medical Doctors, Ophthalmologists, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Nurses and Midwives has already been secured for effective and efficient execution of the exercise.

The statement requested “all sick persons within Abia Central Senatorial zone to prepare to participate in the programme”,  adding that other senatorial zones will take their turns subsequently.

Wawa News Global reports that Prof Ibe, who holds a post graduate degree in Health Management, recently settled the hospital bills of many indigent patients at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, who hitherto were detained in the facility due to inability to clear their accounts, thereby affording them the opportunity of returning home to their families.