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By Akpan David, Calabar
The Humanity Without Borders (HUWIB), a pet programme established by wife of Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Edet Otu in conjunction with a group of surgeons and medical practitioners from the United States of America called FaithCare Outreach International, have conducted free medical services for people of the 18 LGAs.
The collaboration is presently conducting the outreach in the state capital, Calabar, where over 1500 people converged on the General Hospital Calabar for free surgeries, consultations and examination.
Speaking at the flag off the free medical outreach, Mrs. Otu said the exercise was the 7th edition.
She disclosed that the outreach is an initiative that enables HUWIB extend vital health services to the most vulnerable among people.
“It reaches those in our communities who, due to limited resources, are unable to access quality healthcare.
“The testimonies and transformations that we have received has been heartwarming and encouraging especially from individuals, who have benefitted from this outreach, particularly those who received free surgeries.
“Many of them had given up hope due to financial constraints. Their stories continue to inspire and rekindle my passion to sustain and expand this programme,” Otu stated.
While reiterating that the goal of the outreach, which is to give hope to the poorest of the poor by prioritizing their health and wellbeing, touching lives and changing destinies, she expressed the determination to provide free, quality medical care across the three senatorial district.
“Through the consistent partnership with Faith-Care International, we have brought smiles, and even tears of joy, to the faces of thousands of Cross Riverians and other Nigerians residing in our state.”
Otu said since HUWIB started the free outreach, they have “recorded remarkable milestones such as conducted 705 free surgeries, 2,138 eye care services, 807 dental care procedures, 898 laboratory investigations with over 5,000 general consultations, which spanned all 18 local government areas”
She thanked her husband for support as well as the partner, FaithCare Outreach International for provisions of the team of surgeons and medical experts for the weeklong services that would be rendered.
Professor Peter Schantz, team lead of FaithCare Outreach International, expressed appreciation to the wife of the governor for collaborating with the organisation, which is indirectly propagating the gospel by offering free quality medical services as a form of love for humanity.
Schnatz said, “we the FaithCare team are here because of the love of Jesus. We have outreaches around the world and have been in Nigeria for 30 years now taking free medical care to people especially those in the rural communities.
“We are in countries such Haiti, Siberia, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria and next year we will begin in Sierra Leone. The reason is to provide quality healthcare services to the rural people and share the love of Jesus Christ,” he stated.
In a brief remark, the Programmes Manager for HUWIB, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade said that the outreach would cover major and minor surgeries, eye care, dental care, counseling, consultations and distribution of free medicines.
He explained, “the turnout on this first day is massive. This shows the high demand for health services and inability of vulnerable people to pay for the high cost of medical services. For us at HUWIB, we are contributing to provide quality healthcare services at no cost to the people.”
In an interview with Mrs. Akon Jimmy, one of those seeking free medical care, when she arrived at 8 o’ clock, the outpatient area was filled to capacity and the hired plastic chairs completely taken over by the people.
She said, “I came out at about 8 o’ clock this morning and no seat inside the building nor under the tent outside. I had to seat just one a pavement by the stairs. I learnt before 6am a lot of people were already here.”
The event featured goodwill messages from the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk; the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Vivian Mesembe Otu and representative of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
The team after a weeklong intervention in Calabar, covering the seven local government areas of the southern senatorial district would be moving to Ikom for another round of free services for those in the central senatorial district.
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