The paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, HRM Okuku Ime Udouroro Inyang, has appealed for the intervention of the Akwa Ibom State government in the equipping and staffing of Utit Obio Community Hospital, constructed in 1981 through community effort.
Okuku Inyang made the call during the flag-off of a free medical outreach at the health centre in Ikot Uba village, Ibiono Ibom, on Monday.
The ongoing free medical outreach, which is sponsored by the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, would last four days.
The monarch lamented that the health care facility, whose foundation was laid in 1981 by the then Cross River State governor, the late Dr. Clement Isong, has suffered neglect from successive administrations since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987.
He commended the lawmaker for sponsoring the free medical outreach, which he reasoned was going to bring health care services to many community dwellers in the area.
The monarch described the lawmaker, Hon. Moses Essien, as “a patriotic, worthy and exemplary son of Ibiono Ibom who has made Ibiono Ibom proud through his people-orientated representation.
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According to the Monarch, “Where we are seated today is a health centre that was initiated through the efforts, support and contribution of Utit Obio sons and daughters, and if you go around the premises, you would discover that the foundation was laid in 1981 by the then governor of Cross River State, the late Dr. Clement Isong. Now, through Moses Essien, we are gathered here for medical outreach, and that’s commendable.
“The Akwa Ibom State government should see the need to urgently intervene in the equipping and staffing of this facility to operate optimally and maximally.”
He lauded Senator Bassey Akpan, who, during his tenure as the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, facilitated the donation of hospital equipment and other medical items to the health centre.”
The speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, who performed the flag-off, commended the lawmaker for initiating “a well-thought-out healthcare programme that will handle the diverse health challenges of the people of the Ibiono Ibom State Constituency.”
The speaker, who was represented by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, described Essien as an “articulate and vibrant member of the 8th Assembly.”
He lauded the Ibiono Ibom member for his effective representation and for giving priority to the health and well-being of his constituents in his legislative engagement.
The speaker noted that the free medical outreach was in sync with the health care and rural development blueprints in the development agenda of the Umo Eno-led administration.
Speaking, the sponsor of the free medical outreach, Hon. Moses Essien, disclosed that the programme was aimed at providing vital health services to the people of his constituency at zero cost to the beneficiaries, especially the vulnerable and the elderly, who are mostly affected by health challenges and lack of funds to access the needed medical attention.
He hinted that more than 200 people in and out of the constituency were registered and screened by a team drawn from different professionals in the healthcare sector.
Essien, who is the House Committee chairman on health, said that the outreach was facilitated as part of activities marking his first year in office.
“This outreach would feature a wide range of healthcare services, including surgeries, general medical consultations, diagnostic tests, treatments, and drug dispensation, ensuring comprehensive care.”
He said that the number of people who came out to receive treatment was overwhelming and assured that the team was capable of handling the huge numbers.
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“I am overwhelmed with the number of people that came out to benefit from this outreach, and I can assure you that the team can handle the numbers. It also shows the magnitude of health challenges that are prevalent in rural communities, and I believe that this outreach will go a long way towards assisting in providing healthcare to my constituents. The team can handle the cases.”
He expressed gratitude to the speaker for granting him the privilege of chairing such a prominent committee in the eighth assembly.
He mentioned that he was partnering with relevant institutions and agencies in the health care sector, including the Hellen Keller Foundation, the Nigeria Medical Association, the NMA, the Akwa Ibom State Chapter, the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS, USAID, ECEWS, Rotary International and the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, among others, to ensure a smooth exercise.
He expressed gratitude to all the partners and relevant stakeholders for agreeing to partner with him in the free medical exercise.
According to him, “It’s my wish to have been elected by my people, and for the speaker to find me fit to head the committee, I’ll use the committee I’m chairing to impact them health-wise by embarking on a free medical outreach.”
“The areas of coverage for the medical outreach involve general surgeries, free blood pressure checks, and treatment. There will also be a free blood sugar check and treatment; there will be deworming of children; and there will be a free malaria rapid diagnostic test and treatment for the constituents that have turned up for the outreach. There will also be a free HIV test and counselling, a free eye check, and the provision of eyeglasses for those who may require them. There’ll also be free consultations in whatever dimension.
Speaking, the village head, Ikot Uba, Chief Akpan Anike Udoh, expressed gratitude to the sponsor for bringing the outreach to his community, which he described as a welcome development in the provision of health care services to rural dwellers.
Responding on behalf of the partners, the newly elected chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Aniekan Peter, lauded the Ibiono Ibom lawmaker for deeming it necessary to plough back the goodwill of the people through the free medical outreach.
He underscored the importance of good health in the development programme of the state government. He assured that the association was willing to partner with individuals and organisations to bring health care to the doorstep of Akwa Ibom people.
On his part, the lead consultant for the Hellen Keller Foundation, Dr. Cyril Essien, assured that the outreach was going to be smooth and successful.
“We have already finished the first set of surgeries and will soon commence the second set. All we need is to ease the crowd in the other ward.”
One of the patients who was screened by the medical team, Mr. Umana Asanga, from the Ibesikpo Asutan Government Area, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker for sponsoring the outreach. He said that he was hopeful of a successful operation after being screened by the team.
The medical outreach attracted patients from Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ubium, and Etinan, among other local government areas in the state.
