Anambra State Association of Women USA Inc. and ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition in Nigeria have paid medical bills worth N4million for four cancer survivors drawn from three communities of the state.
The cheque boards of N1million were presented to each of the beneficiaries while the actual sums would be paid into the hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
The beneficiaries were: Mary Nwosa and Tochukwu Chukwuka from Umuoji and Utuh in Idemli North and Nnewi South Local Government Areas of the state.
Others were Ukamaka Okoli and Chigozie Nwankwo both from Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area.
Presenting the cheques, Founder of ASA Women USA, Dr Uche Umeh said the gesture was in furtherance of her organization’s humanitarian intervention aimed at ensuring the well-being of fellow citizens, especially women.
Umeh, represented by the South-East Coordinator, Mrs Ebele Obiakonze said, “In the past, we have carried out medical missions covering many communities in Anambra.
“This year, we are reaching out to four of our sisters affected by cancer. The 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 Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) has always been an incredible partner.”
Media Coordinator, ASA Women Anambra State, Ify Unachukwu described the medical intervention as an annual ritual aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of women.
She said: “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.”
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, “she added.
Managing Director, ABS, Mr Chris 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.”
While pledging sustained partnership with the organization, Molokwu said, “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 would 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”.
