NGO treats over 600 indigent in free medical outreach

By Edward Samuel, Abuja

In a remarkable act of community service, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), the Healing Heart Network Inc. with the support of the Distinguished Sons and Daughters of Itigidi, has completed a successful three-day medical outreach in Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State southern Nigeria.

Mrs. Veronica Egbe, the Project Coordinator, expressed her gratitude to the entire medical team and sponsors who made the event possible.

“The success of this mission is a testament to the power of collaboration.

“With the support of our local and international partners, we’ve been able to deliver much-needed healthcare services to those who would otherwise not have access to them.”

The outreach, themed Coming Together for our Community, was held at Eja Memorial Hospital and provided a wide range of free medical services to local residents.

The outreach saw the participation of over 600 community members who received medical consultations, health screenings, surgeries, and other essential services.

Among the services provided were general medical care, surgical interventions, vision tests, preventive health education, and special screenings for Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a severe childbirth-related injury that affects women in rural areas.

Over the course of three days, about 53 surgeries were performed, addressing a variety of health conditions such as hernias, appendicitis, and fibroids, as well as cesarean sections (CS).

The VVF screenings were particularly impactful, as this debilitating condition is often underdiagnosed and untreated in rural communities.

The outreach has given women suffering from VVF a chance to receive appropriate medical attention and the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

The Clan head and acting Paramount Ruler of Abi LGA, HRH Eval John Ivon clearly emotional praised the initiative, “I am so thankful for what they have done, many people in this community suffer in silence because they cannot afford medical care, this mission has saved lives and brought hope to many families,” he said.

Another son of the community Chief Eliezer Ike, a senior elder in the community, noted that the free medical mission would have a lasting impact.

“What these sons and daughters of Itigidi, along with their partners abroad, have done for us is beyond words, this is the second time they are stepping up for the community after building a dormitory for our corps members, we are proud of them, and we thank them deeply for caring about the people back home,” he said.

Many community members also expressed their hope that other indigenes living abroad would follow suit and invest in initiatives that improve the quality of life in Itigidi.

“This is a call to action for others, we all have a responsibility to our community, and seeing what has been done here today should inspire others to contribute,” said one resident.

As the outreach concluded, there was already talk of future collaborations to ensure continued healthcare services for the people of Itigidi. The organizers are working on strategies to sustain the progress made and to address the healthcare needs of even more people in the future.

The three-day event not only provided immediate medical relief but also laid the foundation for long-term health improvements in the community.

Through continued support and collaboration, Itigidi is now on a path to better healthcare access, and its residents are filled with optimism for the future.