- By EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri
Ideato communities in Imo State, comprising of two local Government Areas – Ideato North and Ideato South Council areas – with over 40 autonomous communities was agog last weekend as Uzotex Foundation marked her fourth year of comprehensive free medical services to the less privileged members of the area.
The event which was held at Umuchima Health Centre Complex built in 2018 by the Chairman of Uzotex Foundation, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, attracted more than 500 patients mostly elderly men and women.
With over 20 medical personnels led by Dr. Enyinnaya Chiamaka, the team rendered services ranging from eye glasses replacement, checks of blood pressure, blood sugar level, eye glasses, eyes to drugs administration.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of the Federation of Medical and Dental Students, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, IMSUTH, Orlu, chapter, Dr. Chiamaka Enyinnaya, described the turn out for the medical outreach as impressive and overwhelming.
Enyinnaya, who was also the Leader of the Medical team, explained that most of the illnesses complained of by patients were diabetes, high blood pressure, malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, eye issues among others, noting that these illnesses have become endermic in the area.
She also expressed satisfaction with the quality of drugs they were giving to the patients as well as the equipments used during the exercise and commended the founder of Uzotex Foundation, who she described as a philanthropist par excellence, adding that there was need for other privileged Nigerians to emulate him.
Commenting on the free medical exercise, the Parish priest of Church of Immaculate Conception, Umuchima and Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Rev.Fr. Ifeanyi Agaodi, lamented over the lack of basic infrastructure, social amenities and services for the benefits of the populace.
Agaodi lampooned Nigerian government and political leaders for allegedly being inhuman in providing social amenities needed by the citizenry.
According to him “most Nigerians are dying prematurely due to hunger, starvation and ill health because the government and their political leaders have bluntly refused to live up to their social responsibilities to the masses. Could you believe it that despite all the natural resources in Nigeria for the entire Ideato North and South local government areas there’s no functional government hospital except private hospitals ? A good government is always charitable with the welfare of her populace. Honestly, Nigerians are unfortunate” he insisted.
For Hon. Nnadikwe Okeke, a 75 year old community leader who benefited from the program as an eye patient noted that the programme was satisfactory and well organised.
Okeke expressed happiness for the examination of his eyes in which he said he was offered quality drugs and reading glass.
He described the facilitator as a good man who always think of the betterment of humanity and her environment.
According to him ” Festus Mbisiogu is a nice man, always thinking about the welfare of his people. He is like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that is always willing to sacrifice his life and comfort for the well being of his people. It’s not as if he’s only committed to the health of his people, he also contributes so much in churches and community development projects”.
Some patients came from distant communities like Akokwa, Isiekenisi, Urualla,, Umuebom, Amanato, Omuma Isiaku, Obiohia and Ogboko.
