By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Over 300 rural pregnant women, nursing mothers, elderly persons and children under five have commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief, Moses Ije Odunwa, for sponsoring a free medical outreach aimed at improving maternal child health and overall wellbeing of the rural dwellers.
The health intervention program which took place on Tuesday, March 25th at Udumowo Primary Health Center in Inyimegu, Ikwo Local Government Area, provided free screening, treatment, and essential drugs to beneficiaries who otherwise could not afford quality healthcare.
Expressing her gratitude, Mrs. Friday Charity, a nursing mother, described the outreach as a lifesaving intervention. “Medical care is expensive, and many of us cannot afford proper treatment. This initiative has given us access to doctors, drugs, and essential medical services without any cost,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Ngozi Nweke, lauded the Speaker for prioritizing the health of women and children. “It is not every day that we get such an opportunity. We are grateful because this has helped many of us who have been struggling to access medical care,” she said.
Similarly, Umunna Joy and Happiness Itumo appreciated the initiative, noting that the medical services they received would have cost a lot of money in a private hospital. “We pray that God blesses the Speaker for remembering rural women and children,” Umunna Joy added.
The team lead, Better Health for Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), Prof. Nkechi Echiegu, explained that lack of access to quality healthcare was the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in rural areas hence, the resolve of the wife of the Governor, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru to reach all nooks and crannies of the State with free and quality healthcare service delivery
She thanked the Speaker for his unequalled passion in caring for the health needs of his constituents through the intervention.
Earlier, the Speaker, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa, represented by the wife, Mrs. Florence Odunwa, stressed that the free medical outreach aligns with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs on Health which ensures free and quality healthcare for the vulnerable groups and that of his wife, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru whose Pet-project, BERWO, provided for the health needs of rural women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons across the 13 LGAs of the State.
He promised to sustain the gesture as his way of stepping down the Governor’s health policy to the grassroot and urged beneficiaries to utilize the healthcare facility to improve their health and wellness.
The Baby Shower Desk Officer and Assistant, State Health Educator, Mrs Ngozi Alo, disclosed that the intervention included ANC for pregnant women, MCH services, family planning, and TB & HIV screenings. “We also educated mothers on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) uptake,” she said.
According to her, over 65 pregnant women received antenatal care, while about 200 children under five benefited from MCH services and advised pregnant women to always visit healthcare facilities for safe delivery.
Highlight of the event was the donation of free tuberculosis screening kits by the State Ministry of Health TB Unit in collaboration with Caritas Foundation of Nigeria where 85 persons benefited, donation of HIV test kits by ECWS as effort marking 2025 World TB Day, distribution of Pampers and other essential items to over 300 nursing mothers and an appeal to other political leaders to emulate Chief Odunwa’s generosity to improve healthcare access in rural communities in the State.