It was a sigh of relief for many and jubilation across Uke Community in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State as Prof Chiemelu Emegoakor and Dr Emma Nwokedi sponsored a multi million naira free Medical Outreach where many less privileged persons who could not access proper medical treatment due to paucity of funds were major beneficiaries.
Speaking during the free medical outreach at the Primary Healthcare Center Uke, Prof Chiemelu Emegoakor from Omimi village Uke said that the free surgery and free medical outreach was something he had been doing for the last four years with his colleague and brother Dr. Emma Nwokedi who is also a native of Uke community.
“This is the fourth series.It is our way of giving back to the community and the society. The way I think is that any skill or resources I have is God given. So, I have dedicated at least one day in a year to give back to my community.
“We have performed major, intermediate and minor surgeries.The surgeries which we undertook today include Inguinal hernia 10, Thyroidectomy ( goitre removal) 4, Umbilical hernia( tube na abo) 4,; Cyst. 3, Breast lump 1, Lipoma 4, Hydorocele 3, Undescended testis 1. Moreso, 30 women had ultrasound screening of their breast and 110 patients with varying ailments were seen and given drugs sourced from USA
Prof. Emegoakor further advised that
people should be health conscious and learn good health behaviors particularly once they get up to 40 years.
“Do not wait until you break down before going to hospital, go for medical check ups from time to time the way we go to the mechanic to check out your vehicle engine to check wether the oil is bad to charge it.
“Once you are up to 40 years, please check your blood pressure, blood sugar from time to time. Then, if you discover anything abnormal in your body system please visit the hospital but an adult should not wait until he or she sees something abnormal.
“Excluding my medical expertise which I bring to bear which is not quantifiable. We spent roughly 12 million naira for today’s outreach. It is the love for our community and we are not expecting anything from them,,”said Prof Emegoakor.
A principal sponsor of the annual medical outreach, Dr. Emma Nwokedi expressed joy and satisfaction in seeing the community benefit from the free health care program.
Dr. Nwokedi, an American-based oncologist however reflected on the huge cost and enormous finances needed to drive the program especially as it concerns core professionals brought for surgeries and other key medical services.
“Not minding what it takes to deliver this outreach every year, my joy is found on the fact that people’s lives are saved especially those who cannot afford the cost of treating their ailments. We believe God that we will continue to help in our little ways”, Dr. Nwokedi said.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
many beneficiaries of the free Uke medical outreach thanked God profusely for the medical outreach praying God to bless the duo for sponsorimg and caring for the health of Uke people. Some of them said that the cost of treatment and surgery made them to keep suffering under excruciating pain until they were able to get medical intervention all for free without spending a dime.
