… over 6, 000 patients to benefit
No fewer than six thousand sick people are expected to benefit from the free medical care outreach programme being organised by some Nigerians living in the United States of America on the aegis of the Mbano National Assembly, MNA.
The humanitarian medi-care gesture according to the organizers, which cost over Two Hundred Million Naira, would provide surgical, ophthalmological, psychological, physiotherapy among other health care services.
Speaking to newsmen at the opening ceremony of the medical mission, holding at Mbano Joint Hospital, in Mbano Council Area of Imo State, the MNA President,, Sir Basil Njoku said the programme was borne out of the commitment of the MNA members to assist ameliorate the health challenges of their kins cum people in Nigeria.
Njoku said, “the event of today, I could trace it to the year 2000, when this organisation, Mbano National Assembly was formed. Since then Mbano people in the United States take it as a commitment every year to take care of their people here at home. Our people say health is wealth. So we conduct free medical care mission to Mbano people every year. And we have been doing this medical mission for the past sixteen years.
“Also here today, we have doctors, nurses and other medical professionals of all specialties committed to take care of their own, exclusively sponsored by the organisation.”
He continued, “the medical mission is on generally things most people suffer but we provide surgical care and optomology care. So have ophthalmologies, opticians, surgeons, internist, pediatricians, psychotherapists and physiotherapists.
“So we have different specialties because we treat different cases. On an average, in the mission, we do about 200 surgeries a week and treat about 4000 to 6000 patients depending on how everything goes.
The MNA President further disclosed that the aims and objectives of the organisation amongst other things are; “to enhance the life and well being of Mbano citizens home and in Diaspora through the provision of a free annual medical mission to our communities, educational grant to deserving and indigent students as well as seeking local and international investment opportunities for Mbano Communities.”
“In addition to the above as an accomplishment, we have constructed and equipped an ultramodern surgical theatre at Mbano Joint hospital with state of the art equipment.” Njoku added.
Also, speaking to newsmen at the event some stakeholders and chieftains of the Mbano nations, including the Chairman, Board of Management, Mbano Joint Hospital, Chief Mathew Emetumba and Chief Elias Okoro applauded the organisation for the humanitarian gesture and its sustenance over the years.
They also used the opportunity to urge other illustrious indigenes of the area in diaspora to emulate the MNA by seeing reasons to invest their resources, expertise and time for the general well-being and development of their people at home.
“What we are witnessing here today is a very good and commendable gesture by our people living in US. And as the Board of Management here, we assure them of their security and of our cooperation to enable them achieve the goal of this humanitarian exercise. And because it is a charitable exercise and we are committed in ensuring that this medical mission is executed free, fair and without any rancour.”
“I also want to use this opportunity to urge all our sons and daughters in diaspora across the globe to emulate this commendable and kind gesture of our people in the United States by coming home with any assistance that would enhance the general well-being of our people.
The event had in attendance several dignitaries including the leadership and members of the MNA among whom were the MNA National Secretary and Chairman 2024 Medica Mission, Dr. Obioma Iwuagwu, MNA National spokesman, Nze Charles Ekpe, MNA Youth President, Ms Judith Anyanwu, Chief Dr. Livinus Iwuozo Obilo, MD, Spring Valley Hospital, in Wayne, New Jersey, Miss Judith Nwokorie, Current Miss Mbano, USA, Dr Julius Kpaduwa: Climical Coordinator USA, Dr CM Anyaeze: Chief Local Coordinator, MNA medical mission and Matron of Mbano Joint Hospital Rev. Sr. Modesta Okafor.
Others were Chief Johnson Nwokorie, Mrs Chinma Nwokorie, Mazi Geoffery Iwuchukwu, Dr Mrs Stella Kpaduwa, Dr Mrs Anyalebechi, Lolo Uche Okoro FNP, Mr. Chidi Alino FNP, Mr. Nkemdi Ohalete, Mr. Cosmas Ilekanachi, Dr Eugene Nwokorie, Mazi Emmanuel Egbuziem, Mr. Chima Nwigwe and Mrs Esther Peters.
