DEARTH OF FUNCTIONAL STATE OWNED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES MOVES PROF. GREG IBE TO INTERVENE IN HEALTH CARE DELIVERY TO CITIZENS.

Chinwe Ugele, Umuahia

The much anticipated free medical and surgical outreach of Prof. Greg Ibe has finally kicked off in Umuahia.

The exercise which was flagged off on Tuesday at the Umuahia Event centre, Okpara square marks the commencement of the zonal free medical outreach. It is expected to last for three days in Umuahia, thereafter, it will move to Isiala Ngwa North to complete Abia central zone before moving to Abia South and finally Abia North.

The deputy guberntorial Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Hon. Obinna Ichita describes the exercise as “an exceptional show of empathy to the people of Abia state .”

He said, Prof. Greg Ibe feels the pain of the citizens of the state who have for nearly one year suffered the non functional state of all health facilities owned by the government in the state, hence his interventionist measures to elongate the lives of the people

Ichita who is also member of the Abia state House of Assembly, said it is more unsettling knowing that the hospital’s are under lock and key, while resident doctors have been on strike for many months , yet the government is unperturbed about the situation.

He decried the proliferation of funeral homes (mortuaries) which according to him are scattered all over the communities and even added that sadly the only thing still functioning at ABSUTH is the mortuary facility .

While assuring that Prof Ibe will surely sustain the program, he said ,”If government does not care for us, there still exists among us men with good conscience.”

The leader of the medical team, Dr. Ojum Ogwo, disclosed that there are over 20 health personnel working in the team. He said amongst whom are consultants, surgeons, medical directors and doctor corps members.

He said they have seen patients with various ailments like typhoid fever, hepatitis, stroke and eye problems. Dr. Ogwo also stated that they have had cause to refer the surgical cases to the federal medical centre for proper attention considering the understanding that exists between the management and Prof. Ibe.

On the part of the APGA party chairman in the state, Rev. Austin Ehiemere, who said it is shameful that ABSUTH lost accreditation due to bad governance, citizens should utilise the rare opportunity of free medical outreach to treat their ailments.

He also said that Prof Ibe did not begin his philanthropy overnight in order to advance his political ambition, adding that he had been in the act for many years.

it is certain that the outreach in the end would have helped families who ordinarily couldn’t afford health care services.