Over 1,000 residents comprising old and young of Amiliba community, Otolo Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Anambra state have been given free medical treatment as Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation footed the bills.
The event attracted Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Nnewi zone with Dr Chukwudi Nwagbala as its Chairman.
A philanthropist in the community, Chief Ugochukwu Nwosu who is the founder of the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation, according to the villagers, has, apart from the medical outreach awarded scholarships to primary school pupils, secondary school students and others in tertiary institutions.
During the medical outreach programme, beneficiaries were examined, treated, counseled and given drugs for various health challenges.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North Council Area, Engr Chris Obiorah who was represented by Mr Joseph Ezeobi (JP) in his speech charged the rich in society to emulate the philanthropic gestures of Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation.
Reflecting on the nation’s economic strangulation, the TC Chairman noted that many Nigerians especially those in the rural communities find it hard to pay their hospital bills, a situation he said made it necessary to assist the less privileged.
Speaking, the Chairman of NMA, Nnewi Zone, Dr Nwagbala commended the philanthropic gesture of Chief Nwosu and his Foundation.
He said that the medical team had to drop other engagements to honour the medical outreach programme.
The NMA Chairman praised the foundation in its effort to checkmate mortality and morbidity level among the less privileged, saying that it pleased him and other members of the medical team to join hands with the foundation to save lives.
He explained that any patient with critical clinical problems while the programme lasted would be referred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi for adequate treatment after diagnosis.
“It is very important for people to take the issue around their health very serious. Cardiac arrest is common nowadays; this has made it imperative for people to constantly check their Blood Pressure (BP) status. High blood pressure and hypertension are silent killers.
“Other silent killers are diabetes, obesity and high colostrums, it is expected that anyone above age 40 should go for regular medical checkup to ensure that all is well, if any untoward discovery is made, they should quickly seek medical attention,” Dr Nwagbala advised.
He condemned the high rate of drug abuse among the youths noting that drug addicts should be supported through proper education on the dangers of drug abuse.
The Coordinator for Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation, Mr Walter Udeagbunam, explained that the Foundation had been doing empowerment programmes for the people with scholarships to the less privileged and indigent students in addition to medical outreach.
He disclosed that the Foundation had a whole lot of projects including football competition, beauty pageant and other activities which would be yearly event.
Mr Udeagbunam expressed the optimism that the Foundation which has become a household name in Nnewi would soon go round Anambra state and beyond.
Speaking, Dr Kelvin Freeman told the beneficiaries that the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation free outreach was a project to be emulated.
He noted that this had become the right thing as health had become an issue of concern in society. He advised for regular medical checks to ensure a healthy living. He advised the audience to abstain from drug abuse and always seek the advice of medical personnel for any health challenge.
He told the audience that health is wealth. He called for personal hygiene and avoidance of open defecation to disallow flies from spreading diseases human from feases.
Mrs Freeman said: “I’m overwhelmed by the effort of the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation which brings NMA, nurses and other health workers to Amiliba Hall, Otolo Nnewi to execute the medical outreach which takes care of members of the rural community.”
