192 persons benefit from serving NYSC members’ free medicare outreach in Abia
NO fewer than 192 persons benefited from the one-day free Medicare Outreach organized by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) in Abia state under the aegis of the NYSC Medical and Health CDS Group for indigent people.
The CDS comprised Medical doctors, nurses, microbiologists/medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, optometrists, and dietitians among others. 300 persons were targeted but at the close of the exercise lucky 192 benefited.
State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Francisca Ifon, commended the NYSC CDS members for embarking on the exercise that had the moral support of the NYSC.
Speaking on the exercise, the CDS President, Dr.
Ekhoragbon Andrew, said that while they levied themselves for the funds, the drugs used were donated by the State Ministry of Health and Vicar Hope Foundation - a non governmental organization run by the State Governor’s wife, Nkechi Ikpeazu.
Dr. Andrew said that during the outreach that also featured talks and health counseling by health professionals, the patients examined were diagnosed of high blood pressure, malaria and typhoid fever, diabetes, glaucoma, cataract, febrile convulsion, eye problems, among others.
He added that those that had high blood pressure were stabilized and advised to have good rest. Two women who tested positive to Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) were asked to go to hospital to seek medical attention that will include placement on Anti Retro Viral (ARV) drugs, while others were counseled on dietary modification including regular health checks, good personal hygiene, genotypes, blood groups.
Andrew also indicated that the exercise would be repeated next month in a rural community on the platform of Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) predicting that it will benefit more people.
The CDS President acknowledged the support and cooperation given them by the state NYSC Coordinator, the Zonal Inspector, Mrs. Regina Agulanna, and Umuahia North LGA Inspector, Mrs. Patience Nwokolo.