From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Amiliba Community Hall at Otolo-Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State recently became a mecca of sort as people trooped out in their good numbers to take advantage of the free medical outreach put together by Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation.
The free medical outreach was a collaborative effort between the Foundation and Nnewi Zone of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) headed by Dr Chukwudi Nwagbala.
The Founder, Chief Dr Ugochukwu Nwosu a philanthropist per excellence through the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation has been empowering youth by giving scholarships to pupils in primary schools, students in Secondary as well as University students and other Institutions.
Over one thousand people were tested, treated, counseled and given drugs for different ailments.
The Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of Nnewi North LGA, Engr Chris Obiorah represented by Mr Joseph Ezeobi (JP) in his speech urged the affluent persons and people of goodwill to emulate the philanthropic gestures of Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation.
He pointed out that many people are finding it difficult at the moment to feed well not to talk of picking their hospital bills, a situation which according to him has made it imperative for assistance from the well to do persons and foundations.
In his own speech, the Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Nnewi Zone, Dr Chukwudi Nwagbala applauded the philanthropic gestures of Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation.
He pointed out that he and his team had to shelve other important engagements to be part of what the foundation is doing.
Dr Nwagbala said that his happy about what the foundation is doing towards the reduction of mortality and morbidity level among the poor masses and that it is a great pleasure for him and his team of doctors to be part of the unique intervention.
He however pointed out that any patient with complex clinical issues discovered during the medical outreach would be referred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi for proper diagnosis and treatment.
“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 colostrum, 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 stressed.
He decried 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.
Mr Walter Udeagbunam, the Coordinator for Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation in a comment stated that the Foundation has been carrying out empowerment programs for the people, gives scholarships to the needy and bright pupils and students as well as carrying out medical outreaches.
He said that the Foundation has 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 an household name in Nnewi will soon go round Anambra State and beyond.
In his own speech, Dr Kelvin Freeman in an interaction with journalists said that the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation free outreach is a global project worthy of emulation.
Dr Freeman said that this has become the way to go because of health is becoming a serious issue in the society, he adviced Nigerians to do whatever they can do to ensure a better health status.
Engr Mrs Ugochi Freeman, the Executive Director, Creative Minds Center For Youth and Community Development, in her own comment emphasized that health is wealth and that maintaining personal hygiene and keeping the environment clean and avoidance of open defecation are essential for healthy living.
Mrs Freeman said that she was overwhelmed by the effort put up by the Emmanuel and Bibiana Nwosu Foundation by bringing NMA, Nurses and other Health workers to Amiliba Hall, at Otolo-Nnewi to take care of the health needs of the people.
Deaconess Ebere Chukwudozie and other members of the Foundation put up a five star performance in attending to the over one thousand people who thronged the venue of the medical outreach.