By Chibuike Nkwede
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, has sustained his commitment to improving access to healthcare among his constituents, organising a free medical outreach for women in Ikwo South State Constituency as part of activities marking the 2026 August Meeting.
The Speaker, who has consistently organised medical outreach programmes for his constituents over the years, has also made free healthcare intervention for women a recurring feature of the annual August Meeting in the constituency.
The latest outreach, held on Saturday during the 2026 August Meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Assumption Parish, Abini, Amaegu in Ikwo Local Government Area, was sponsored by Odunwa in collaboration with the Baby Shower Initiative (BSI) of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health.
Health workers at the outreach identified cases of high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, malnutrition and stress-related conditions among some of the beneficiaries.
The programme provided beneficiaries with medical screening, diagnosis and treatment, maternal and child healthcare services, health education and counselling, among other services.
Speaking during the outreach, the Team Lead of the Baby Shower Initiative, Miss Alo Ngozi, popularly known as Ng Blacks, said the intervention was a continuation of a similar medical outreach sponsored by the Speaker in the community last year.
She explained that the decision to return to the community was partly to assess the health condition of women who benefited from the previous intervention.
Ngozi said health workers recorded noticeable improvements in the condition of some beneficiaries who participated in last year’s programme.
According to her, the outreach also attracted more women this year, increasing the number of beneficiaries.
She said: “Last year, we were here under the sponsorship of Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, who supported free medical treatment here in Abini, Ikwo.
“We recorded a lot of health issues, especially when we checked their blood pressure, sugar levels and other conditions that were found to be high in the community. The Speaker promised that he would come back with another intervention.
“This year, we decided to revisit the communities we supported last year to know how far they have improved. From what we have seen, there has been a significant change in the health status of some of those who benefited from the last programme.”
Ngozi urged women in the area to take regular health checks seriously and adopt healthy lifestyles, while calling on other stakeholders to support healthcare interventions in their communities.
The President of the 2026 August Convention of the parish, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinenye Ogah, described the annual August Meeting as an important platform for promoting unity, peace and development among women and families in the community.
She said the women had also benefited from the support of individuals and community stakeholders towards the execution of some parish projects.
Ogah particularly commended Odunwa for sustaining his healthcare intervention for the women, noting that the Speaker had returned with another medical outreach after supporting a similar programme in the community last year.
“Last year, he sent a health team that came with drugs. They were able to diagnose our women, identify their health challenges and treat them. We are glad and happy, and we wish him well,” she said.
The parish president, however, appealed to other political leaders and stakeholders in the area to complement the Speaker’s intervention by investing in women empowerment and adult education.
She said such interventions would help address unemployment and illiteracy among women in rural communities.
“My call is that since the Speaker has taken up the area of health, other politicians and stakeholders within our area should look into empowerment and adult education for our women. There are women who still need education, and adult education is not a bad thing. They should also come to our aid in those areas,” Ogah said.
Some of the beneficiaries, who turned out in large numbers for the exercise, expressed appreciation to the Speaker for the intervention.
Health workers at the outreach said several health conditions were observed among women and children, including hypertension, elevated blood sugar levels and cases associated with malnutrition and stress.
They counselled the beneficiaries on the importance of regular medical checks, proper nutrition and maintaining healthy lifestyles.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Theophilus Igwe, Odunwa congratulated the women on this year’s August Meeting and appreciated them for their prayers, support and goodwill towards his leadership.
He assured them of a better tomorrow and urged them to make regular medical check-ups a priority, stressing that meaningful development could not be achieved when the health of the people was neglected.
According to the Speaker, his continued investment in healthcare interventions across the constituency was driven by his belief that a healthy population was fundamental to sustainable development.
“I congratulate our mothers and sisters on this year’s August Meeting. I deeply appreciate your continued prayers, love, goodwill and support for my leadership. I don’t take your support for granted.
“I thank you, and I appeal that you continue to stand with us, support and pray for me. With your support and encouragement, I believe tomorrow will be better than today.
“My dear mothers and sisters, the reason for this medical outreach is that I believe the people cannot enjoy meaningful development when their health is neglected. I want you to make your health a priority.
“Don’t wait until you’re sick before going to the hospital. Make regular check-ups a habit. Know your blood pressure, blood sugar and other vital health indicators. Early detection can save lives.
“For our mothers who spend their lives taking care of others, remember that your health is important. Take care of yourself. This outreach is more than free medical treatment. It is a message of love, concern and responsibility. Your health matters, your well-being matters and you matter,” he said.
The outreach further underscored Odunwa’s sustained commitment to healthcare delivery in Ikwo South State Constituency, where medical interventions have remained part of his efforts to improve the welfare and wellbeing of his constituents.