No fewer than five thousand patients yesterday benefited from a free medical outreach programme funded by wife of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Ogbuefi Vivian Irona, even as Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Oru West Local Government Area, comrade Kenneth Akunnakwe has vowed to sustain the gesture in his area.
The first phase of the programme which was held in three local Government Areas of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West in Imo State had massive turnout, justifying the massive deployment of health personnel for same.
Declaring the programme open, wife of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Ogbuefi Vivian Irona described health as a very important issue that must be taken seriously by any administration, reiterating her commitment to supporting the health of people of the area.
The Deputy Governor’s wife encouraged people of the area to take advantage of the exercise to attend to their health challenges, even as she urged them to adhere to the prescriptions of the medical personnel.
She also used the occasion to appreciate the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Mrs. Ebere Ihedioha for what she described as her motherly disposition towards bringing succor to suffering Imo people, urging women all over the state to support her.
Speaking on the exercise in Oru West, Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Oru West Local Government Area, comrade Kenneth Chukwuemeka Akunnakwe described the free medical outreach as a huge success.
He described it as the first of its kind in the history of the Local Government Area, arguing that he will take steps towards sustaining same.
“This is the first of its kind in Oru West Local Government Area. It is the first time this milk of kindness is extended to us. We have never had medical tourism in our Local Government. I owe a lot of gratitude to the wife of the Deputy Governor. We are excited. The people are happy.She has just told us that this is possible.We have wealthy people here and we shall mobilize them to ensure that Her Excellency’s gesture is sustained.”
He used the occasion to call on people of the local government area to continue to support the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, describing it as capable of taking Imo State to the promised land.”
Adding his voice, former member of the House of Representatives and Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-party Affairs, Hon. Jeff Ojinika described the gesture as historical, expressing appreciation to the wife of the Deputy Governor for the gesture.
He also poured encomiums on the Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Oru West, comrade Akunnakwe, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.
“We are here for the free medical outreach organized by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, in furtherance of their 2019 August meeting. It basically takes care of the medical needs of the people. Here you can see people doing all sorts of tests, ocular and all other ones. The essence is to ensure that the people are strong and healthy.”
“The Oru West Chairman, Akunnakwe is doing a very marvelous job. We are proud of him. The Deputy Governor’s wife is a wonderful person.”
Also speaking, Head of the Health Department in Oru West LGA, Mrs. Chukwu expressed satisfaction with the programme, urging people of the area to take advantage of the exercise.
Commenting, Head of the Medical Intervention team in Oru West, Dr. Chima Madu described the exercise as comprehensive, expressing satisfaction at the turnout of patients.
“The crowd is massive, but they are behaving very well. This intervention is a step in the right direction. The turnout shows that it is an area of need and it should be sustained.”
Also speaking, Head of the Medical Intervention team in Oguta LGA, Dr. Ginika Ohasiri described the exercise as commendable.
“It is commendable and should be encouraged. It takes someone close to the people to do this. It takes one with human feelings to do this. The people of Oguta appreciate this gesture.”
Similarly, Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area Hon. Damian Ezeruo has expressed his readiness to sustain the free medical exercise in the area.
Ezeruo, who made this known while responding to questions from newsmen in his office, poured encomiums on Mrs. Irona for the gesture, reiterating his commitment to Rebuild Imo project.
“Having introduced it, by the grace of God, we will go beyond the eye patients and treat other ailments. We will sustain it”
Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Eucharia Okorie, Mrs. Madonna Eze of Obudi Agwa, Oguta LGA, Mrs. Ngozi Agbasogam Naani and Mrs. Opara Gift were full of thanks to the wife of the Deputy Governor for her kind gesture, assuring her of their continued support.
