By Abel Johngold Orheruata
Following its bid to accommodate and prioritize the health and wellbeing of the people, OMIWA Foundation has belted its free medical outreach for citizens in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
OMIWA Foundation, an international non-profit organization is dedicated to bridging the healthcare gap in remote villages in Nigeria.
The one-day outreach program, which took place on November 16, 2024 in Idumogbe, Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area provided a comprehensive range of medical services to the aged and young in Asaba.
The event commenced at 9:00 AM prompt, witnessed residents trooping out to take advantage of the opportunity to receive free medical consultations, access essential medications and tapping into the wealth of healthcare resources from qualified medical professionals.
OMIWA Foundation’s Medical Team assembled from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Okerenkoko in Warri South-West, Federal Medical Center (FMC) Asaba as well as the Asaba Specialists Hospital (ASH) recorded over 500 attendees as patients benefitted from the program ranging from Consultation and Counselling, scaling and polishing of teeth by their Dentist led by Dr Joy Thomas from UBTH, Laboratory Tests (Blood Sugar, Hepatitis B), Drug Distribution for malaria, Eye Screening and Dispensing of Lenses, Health Talk on Nutrition and Disease Conditions, etc.
OMIWA Foundation’s Medical Team Leader, Dr. Steve Ugbome, disclosed that the foundation stands for humanity course at the business of bringing quality health care accessible to those that could not afford it by moving to areas where we have downtrodden. He noted that the outreach program was a proof of OMIWA Foundation’s commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of the people, particularly the elderly.
He said “Health is indeed wealth, and we recognize the importance of providing accessible healthcare services to our people, particularly the aged. This outreach is designed to empower the elderly population by providing them with the necessary tools to maintain their health and live fulfilling lives.”
“Of course, any investment in the health and wellbeing of our people will naturally translate to a healthier, more productive, and engaged constituency”. He noted.
According to Dr. Steve, the initiative solidify the concerted effort to revamp the healthcare system in Delta communities, with a focus on providing sustainable healthcare solutions that cater for the unique needs of the people.
In an interview with newsmen, Sir Benjamin Chukwugoziem Chukwurah, an ex banker and pensioner, whose residence was used as the venue for the Free Medical Outreach at Idumogbe – Ogbeke Square, Asaba, said they were impressed with the humanitarian services of OMIWA Foundation, remarking that, the NGO’s deserves some accolades for the path it has taken to salvage the health challenges of rural communities.
Chukwurah said he volunteered his house and compound to OMIWA Foundation because they were using the foundation to help his village people in Asaba.
Also speaking, some elderly including Mrs Juliana Eselba, 65yrs and Chidimma Chinweze commended the Foundation for extending their humanitarian services to their village in Asaba and noted that; “It’s a show of love to have and want to share with others. Every comfortable person must sincerely emulate this kind of love and we must at all times demonstrate this pure and selfless love to the world.”
The country Coordinator of OMIWA Foundation, Mr Tohan Okenyi said the exercise was part of the Foundation’s activities to care for the people in the rural areas.
He said the vision of OMIWA is to become a platform that bridges the gap of inaccessibility of rural communities to cheap, effective and adequate healthcare services.
This newspaper gathered that, to date, OMIWA Foundation has relentlessly put smiles on the faces of many individuals from different communities through free-medial interventions.