A non governmental organization, Ikemba Osokwa Foundation, in collaboration with Ngozi Maternity and Hospital Services, Owerrinta, has launched a Community Health Benefit rollout cards and forms for elderly residents of Osokwa in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services for vulnerable members of the community.
Speaking at the official kickoff of the healthcare programme held at Ekewobasi Council Hall, in Osisioma Ngwa LGA, the Founder of Ikemba Osokwa Foundation, Prince Justice Ujoumunna, described the initiative as the fulfillment of his promise to support his people in combating what he described as “silent killer” diseases threatening their health and wellbeing.
Prince Ujoumunna represented by his Director General on Political Matters, Chief Promise Machor, explained that the programme was inspired by personal experiences and a strong desire to prevent avoidable health emergencies, especially among individuals living with high blood pressure, diabetes, hernia and other chronic medical conditions, announcing that the free medical coverage under the scheme is expected to run for a period of five years.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Ngozi Maternity and Hospital Services, Dr. Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, while describing the partnership with the Ikemba Osokwa Foundation as a bold step towards expanding access to quality healthcare, noted that the Community Health Benefit Initiative provides screened and enrolled beneficiaries with structured and continuous medical care at her facility and encouraged residents to embrace preventive healthcare and seek early medical attention.
Also speaking, Chief Emma Nduagu, Comrade Chimgozirim Kanu and former Transition Committee Chairman of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Chief Innocent Anucha, commended Prince Ujoumunna for demonstrating that access to healthcare should not be limited by financial constraints and urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the health cards issued to them as a reliable gateway to quality medical services through the foundation.
In an interview, some of the beneficiaries including Chief Omeonu Gad, Mrs Joyce Nweke and Mr Onyeribe Ochieze, appreciated Prince Ujoumunna for improving the healthcare needs of the people through his foundation and prayed for divine blessings upon him.
Highlights of the ceremony included medical screening, diagnosis, administration of drugs to participants and the ceremonial cutting of a cake.
