Anambra State Government, in collaboration with a non governmental organisation, BEACON OF HOPE OUTREACH USA, has flagged off free medical intervention aimed at combating organ impairment and life-threatening diseases for Civil Servants.
The programme being carried out through the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism commenced on Thursday, last week, at the Ministry’s Auditorium, hold on daily basis.
Staff with High blood pressure, Diabetes, Gonorrhea, Staphylococcus, visual and hearing impairment as well as other life threatening ailments that could negatively effect their capacity to work, are being screened, after which those whose conditions require higher medical examinations will be taken to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities for treatment and management, free of charge.
The State Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Christian Madubuko, who flagged off the programme tagged “Maintaining A Healthy Workforce,” at the Ministry Conference hall, Awka, said the programme is a component of Governor Willie Obiano’s development agenda to improve healthcare and give disadvantaged workers access to quality medical care.
He disclosed that a total of 175 staff in the Diaspora Ministry have so far benefited in the ongoing exercise.
He added that the free medical outreach is going to be an annual event.
The Commissioner encouraged staff from other Ministries to utilise the opportunity to make themselves available for screening and treatment for medical conditions that can limit their mental and physical development.
The programme Consultant, Dr. Philip Ume-Ezeoke, in a lecture, noted that the intention of the medical mission was borne out of the commitment of the State Government through the Ministry of Diaspora, to bring down the rate of diseases and disabilities among Civil Servants in the State.
He urged workers who have health challenges not to allow shame deterred them from benefiting from the free exercise.
Dr Umezeoke further informed that the free medical intervention have also taken place in Imo, Rivers, Delta and Edo States.
The Founder of the NGO, Lady Celestina Ekezie, extolled the Anambra State government, for approving the medical intervention, stressing that it was an investment the state would not regret.
She said part of the objectives of the partnership was to enable Anambra government meet the healthy needs of it workforce.
Lady Celestina explained that the programme signalled the implementation phase of Obiano’s healthcare initiative, seeking to increase access to quality health care service in line with the State’s Universal Health Coverage drive.
After the event, drugs and other disease preventive materials were distributed free of charge to the beneficiaries and participants.
