By Alphonsus Okoroigwe, Enugu
Samuel Ogali woke up earlier than usual, suspending his petty shoe-repairing trade for the day. Wearing his native green jumpers, he dashed out of his one-room apartment, hurrying along the empty Nnamdi Azikiwe Street in the Trans-Ekulu area of Enugu metropolis to secure a place before the crowd would begin to swell.
He had to rush, considering his financial and health conditions that prompted him to attend the free medical outreach recently organised by The Cornerstone Church (TCC) along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
So it was for Roseline Ezema, another patient who had arrived before him.
“Leaving home early enough is the surest way to get treated because of the huge crowd that will gather here today,” she said.
On what informed the outreach, the church’s lead pastor, Chisom Ayogu said, “We want to reach out to those around us to take off their burden because we know how difficult it is to get proper medical attention these days.
“So, we expect people to come with their eye pains, toothaches, and other health challenges so as to be treated free of charge.
“And we do this every year to enable people access the basic healthcare they usually shy away from due to lack of money, all in memory of our church’s founder, Pastor Murphy Okpala.”
Assessing the quality of attention they received, Samuel Ogali said, “They checked my eyes, and I’ve been referred to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital for more attention. I’m very grateful to the organisers for the drugs, and for this big outreach.”
According to Roseline Ezema, “I’ve been given a new pair of glasses, and I’m very happy that I can now see with less pain on my eyes.
“They also checked my sugar and blood pressure levels, and gave me some routine drugs. I thank the organisers for reaching out to us in this humanitarian way.”
For Gloria Orji, the outreach was a special, refreshing experience.
“I did teeth cleaning, and it wasn’t as painful and traumatising as the one I did in the past.
“Henceforth, I’ll ensure I go for checkup twice every year like the dentist just advised.
“I call on people to always use an opportunity like this to get treated,” she said.
Chukwuma Anyaragbu expressed joy, saying it was rewarding that his spouse dragged him to the outreach.
“I got corrective lenses and drugs for my eyes. The outreach is so organised that people are given serious attention, far above their expectations,” he added.
Speaking with Purveyor, consultant dentist Daniel Iroegbu stressed the need for a proactive health insurance system in the country.
“Nigerians can have good dental care through health insurance, a channel that will make universal health accessible to everyone.
“This will enable the poor and the vulnerable in the society to utilise insurance services for quality healthcare, including dental health.
“Some states are already stepping down the National Health Insurance Scheme to their level to make the services available,” he said, calling for the inclusion of dental units in community general hospitals.
“Governments can also include dental healthcare units in general hospitals within the communities with dentists deployed to attend to patients.
“With this system in place, patients will no longer be seen traveling long distances for dental attention.
“This will help to reduce the burden of poor oral health in the society.
“There’s also a need for intensive oral health awareness because this is really undermined in the country.
“So, governments and professionals should collaborate and improve awareness regarding oral health,” he said.
To combat the increasing rate of blindness among Nigerians, Chukwuebuka Nwakanma, ophthalmologist, said regular eye checkups were crucial for early detection.
“People need to be going for regular checkups. They’re very necessary because most of the cases we get come from those who don’t go for these checkups.
“Besides early detection, checkups enable us manage the challenges properly, and reduce the rate of blindness among our people,” he said.
The outreach provided free drugs and corrective lenses, tests for blood sugar and pressure, dietary consultations, dental services such as fillings and cleanings, and reproductive health counseling, among others.
