Association gives free medical care to 1,500 in Enugu

OVER 1,500 indigenes of Nara community in Nkanu-East Local Council of Enugu State have benefited from free medical care offered by a non-profit organisation, Pleasant Gathering Club, at a two-day yearly medical outreach scheme.

The event, which took place at Nara Central School, witnessed the disbursement of free drugs, eye-glasses, wheel chairs, among others, worth N2.5 million to beneficiaries who thronged the venue to receive medical attention from a team of 17 medical experts from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), comprising of ophthalmologists, physiologists and dentists.

Co-ordinator of the association, Mrs. Joy Ogbonnaya, who stated that the gesture was aimed at complementing government’s effort towards qualitative health care services, especially to the people at the rural areas, noted that although funds and logistical challenges were hindering the expansion of the scheme, the philanthropic disposition of Mr. Uchenna Abel Nwobodo, a native of the area, had sustained the life of the yearly exercise.

Ogbonnaya said: “We are determined to complement government’s effort to ensure qualitative health care services, especially in the rural areas. Our team of medical experts examine patients with eye, ear, teeth and general ailments free. “Free eye-glasses, hearing aid, wheel chairs, among other equipment, were disbursed to patients.”

Some of the dewormed cases that require surgery have been referred to UNTH or Parklane Teaching Hospital. “We will continue to strive towards the expansion of this scheme to the education and agricultural sector were most of our youths will be meaningfully engaged.”