The Anambra State Association of Women and Cancer Coalition in Nigeria have paid treatment bills worth four million naira for four cancer survivors drawn from three communities.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the cheque boards of one million naira were presented to each of the beneficiaries while the actual sums will be paid into the hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
The beneficiaries are: Mary Nwosa from Umuoji in Idemli North Local Government Area and Tochukwu Chukwuka from Utuh Nnewi South LGA, Ukamaka Okoli and Chigozie Nwankwo both from Ufuma in Orumba North LGA.
At the presentation witnessed by the Managing Director Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr Chris Molokwu, the Founder of ASA Women, USA, Dr Uche Umeh, recalled that the gesture is in furtherance of her organization’s humanitarian intervention aimed at ensuring the well-being of fellow citizens especially women.
The Founder was represented by the South-East Coordinator, Mrs Ebele Obiakonze said this year, we are reaching out to four of our sisters affected by cancer. In the past, we have carried out medical missions covering many communities in Anambra State.
“This gesture aligns with our vision to see everyone especially women healthy and able to achieve her potential.
“Many women who benefitted from our previous medical missions were treated in various hospitals in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.
“We followed up on the patients and some of them are doing fine, fully recovered and healthy now.
“We discovered a woman Ijeoma, with tumor, a big stomach. We took care of her and she is okay now. We are happy that ABS has always been an incredible partner.
The Media Coordinator, ASA Women Anambra State, Ify Unachukwu, described the medical intervention as an annual ritual aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of women.
“We do it every year. Today marks another round of it and these four persons are benefitting from the gesture.
“ASA Women wants to establish a cancer treatment center in Amichi. One day we will have a functional cancer treatment center that will help in the control and management of the disease.
“This year’s edition, we have adopted beneficiaries from three communities. The strategy is not just to give them money.
“To ensure transparency and accountability, the actual amounts will be given to the hospitals where they are accessing treatment.
“This is to make sure that they utilize that money for what their needs are. We are partnering with COOU Teaching Hospital Amaku Awka and other hospitals where the are receiving treatment.
The Health Insurance Coordinator, Ngozi Agaejelu and another member of the organization, Mrs Patricia Icheke, recalled that the organization in 2023 enrolled 50 persons into the health insurance programme of the state government.
“That was one of our key interventions ASA Women has done to help women go through the traumatic experience of having cancer in them.
Some of the beneficiaries of that intervention were men. This is to give them access to free treatment and medications whenever they are needed.
In a remark, MD of ABS, Mr Christopher Molokwu, said, “Life without giving is not worth living. Living is giving and giving is living”.
“What ASA women have come together to do is something quite remarkable. Not just giving but giving for the right reasons.
“Trying to help their fellow women is quite commendable. When you give to someone who can’t give back, you are giving a lot.
Mr. Molokwu promised sustained partnership with the organization to keep the good course. As we continue to stand as partners with the ASA women, we pray that this won’t be the last”.
The beneficiaries appreciated the gesture which they said will greatly impact their health.
Mary Nwosa said, “I am so glad that God has remembered me through ASA USA. I pray that God will continue to bless them.
Tochukwu Chukwuka who had benefitted from ASA USA eight years ago responded, “This is the second time I am coming their way. I appreciate their relentless efforts”.
