Ebonyi indigenes in Abuja offer free health care to community
Government Council (CGC) headquarters, otherwise known as “Gabon Hall,” Oboama, the visibly angry Eze Amaefule, who could not hide his shock and embarrassment over the electricity bill the community is currently owing, gave a two-week ultimatum to the president-general of the Oboama Development Union (ODU), Mr. Don Nwete to do a proper account by setting up an audit committee.
Our reporter was reliably informed that trouble started when the community was disconnected from electricity for over one month.
The royal father said the high electricity bill owed by the community was a big surprise to everybody, especially as those in charge of the communal billing system are known to always move from house to house throughout the 11 villages to collect money. He instructed that a sub-committee comprising one representative from each village be inaugurated to supervise the accounts of the Electricity Committee.
Reacting to the royal father’s order, president-general of ODU, Mr. Don Nwete, said that although the tenure of his administration had not elapsed to be subjected to account audit, he would comply with the directive.
The Association of Ugwulangwu Indigenes in Abuja (AUIA), last Monday offered free health care services to their community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Worried by numerous untimely deaths in the community as a result of medical cases related to high blood pressure, the association organised the event, which was aimed at preserving the lives of the aged in the community.
The project, tagged: Preserving the Aged through Free Medical Care, attracted dignitaries within and outside the community. It was held at Central School, Ugwulangwu, where doctors, nurses and other medical personnel examined the blood pressure of members of the community. Drugs were also administered free of charge to patients. The association also donated medical equipment to all the health centres in the community, where members can always go for medical examination free of charge.
The event was well attended by the aged and other age groups in the community who expressed appreciation to the AUIA for embarking on such a life-saving project. Beneficiaries who spoke to our reporter said the event was an eye-opener as they will henceforth be very conscious of their health status as well as avoid unguarded medications. They called on other associations to borrow a leaf from what Ugwulangwu indigenes in Abuja are doing, saying they should keep it up. “Remember that a healthy community produces wealthy people,’’ they added.
Speaking to Sunday Trust after the event on Monday, the councillor representing Uhuotaru Ward 3 and chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, Ohaozara Local Government Legislative Council, Elder Okoronkwo Eze, said that Ugwulangwu indigenes in Abuja had set a good pace and others should toe the line.
“It was a wonderful project. Other associations should take a cue from our sons in Abuja. Our people need such assistance from time to time. Many people have died as a result of ignorance, so sensitisation is very important. We expect another project on education, which is equally important. Our young ones, especially the girls, need to be encouraged to acquire higher education,’’ Elder Eze said.
Also speaking, the coordinator of Ohaozara East Development Centre, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, who was represented at the event by the supervisor on Health and Environment, Mr. Uchechukwu Okpara, said it was a worthy effort by the indigenes of the community in Abuja. She, however, said that for subsequent events of this nature and magnitude, there is the need to improve on the number of health personnel as, according to her, the number of doctors present was grossly inadequate. She added that the association should endeavour to carry executive members of the development centre and other government officials along during future projects. She said the state government and office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) should know that such association exists.
While thanking God for a successful project, chairman of the Association of Ugwulangwu Indigenes in Abuja, Sir James H. Nweke, called on members of the community to make good use of the opportunity his association offered. He also called on other associations to embark on projects that would positively affect the lives of the people. He, however, said there would be room for improvement during subsequent projects. Nweke called on non-governmental organisations, government agencies and well-meaning individuals to partner with AUIA to sensitise members of his community and indeed, all Nigerians on “the silent killer called high blood pressure.’’
On his part, the chairman, Project Committee and legal adviser of the association, Barrister Chijioke O. Nwite, said he was happy that the objectives of the association were achieved, adding that he was impressed by the turnout of the people.
“The response was fantastic. The project was the first of its kind in Ugwulangwu; I am impressed. We will sustain the tempo. We are also looking forward to partnering with government through the office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as other national and international organisations to enable us expand the project to further touch the lives of the aged and the less privileged members of the community and beyond,’’ he said.