The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Enugu State branch has carried out a medical outreach in Owo Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Speaking to newsmen during the exercise held at Cecilia Memorial Hospital, Owo, Dr Ogbodo Okechukwu, Vice President, NAS, Enugu branch, said the target for the outreach was to provide free medical services to 1,500 persons.
Okechukwu, who is a Consultant Public health physician, said Owo community was chosen because of its peculiarity, a place where vulnerable people are many.
He said that the exercise, which holds quarterly, had been carried out in Nsukka, Iva-Valley, Enugu and in Awgu local government area.
“Our target is 1,500 persons, and I am sure that before 6:pm, we will achieve the number ” Okechukwu said.
He said the exercise was done in collaboration with national and international agencies such UNICEF, center for disease control and some teaching hospitals like the UNTH and Parklane.
Also speaking, the head of the medical team, Dr Godfrey Anthony estimated the cost of each outreach by NAS at N3.5 million, adding that the outreach holds every quarterly.
According to him, the local organising committee usually reached out to the communities through their leaders to sensitize them ahead of the outreach.
The outreach featured consultations, checking of Blood pressure, screening of eyesight, blood sugar, malaria parasite, diabetes and prostrate.
Meanwhile, some beneficiaries of the outreach have commanded the organisers of the free medical services, describing it as a life-saving exercise.
In separate interviews they thanked the NAS and wished for more.
A clergy, Pastor Augustine Nnamani of Ubahu village said he brought his mother for medical check over multiple sickness but ended up receiving treatment for ulcer.
“This is fantastic and life-saving for our community.
“I brought my mother for medical checks over some old-age related sickness, but I ended up receiving treatment for ulcer after checks, ” Nnamani said.
He thanked the organisers of the outreach and begged them to repeat the exercise from time to time.
“Honestly, I thank them for this gesture; I wish others emulate them because we need this kind of interventions in our community, ” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Donatus Ede from Ashi-Owo village, thanked the NAS for the medical intervention.
He said that the exercise had offered hope to members of the community, particularly the aged.
He said: “It is very nice; we want it constantly, especially some of us who are aging.
“I came to check both my eyes and teeth, they referred me to the Parklane hospital for the teeth and gave me drugs for the eye problem.
“May God bless the organisers. ‘
On her part, Mrs Eucharia Amuche, said she was checked, and it was discovered that she had malaria parasite.
“I was given some drugs for treatment free of charge.
“I thank God and the people who brought this free medical services here; they came to save our lives, ” she said.
For Mr Cyril Ani, it was a dream come true.
“I came to complain about my eyesight, and after checks they gave me eye glasses.
“This is something that I have been thinking of what to do because I find difficult to read and even to see clearly, ” he said.
