Free Medical Outreach:Ekpeye Monarch Lauds Philantropists

By Oyagiri Chime

His Majesty, Eze Joshua Eyiba JP, Eze Igbu Igbuduya , has called on illustrious sons and daughters of Ekpeye Land to emulate the founder of Charles Ewoh Health Care Foundation, Dr Charles Ewoh and partners who embarked on a three- day free medical care outreach in three communities in the kingdom.

The monarch made the call in his palace when the founder of Ewoh Health Foundation and his partners paid him a courtesy visit.

The Eze, who expressed delight at the gesture of Dr Ewoh , thanked the doctor for bringing home the experience he had garnered to positively impact on the lives of the people of the kingdom.

He further said that many lives would be saved through the medical outreach, as the less privileged, who would not have been able to afford medical treatment have had access to medical care through the outreach.

‘We are proud of you, because you are selfless, dogged and honest about helping Ekpeye people to get cured of some illnesses that ordinarily, they would not have been able to get medical care due to financial constraints’, the Eze said.

To show his domain’s appreciation to the founder of the foundation and his team, Eze Eyiba conferred a chieftaincy title on Dr Ewoh and the two other conveners of the medical outreach, Comrade Salvation Ezegwogwo and Hon Samuel Eyiba.

The Igbuduya monarch also tasked people of his domain to give education a priority in their children upbringing in order to have a peaceful and developed society.

He equally called on his subjects to close ranks and come together to work for the development of Ekpeye Kingdom.

Speaking to newsmen at Okogbe, venue of day three of the medical outreach, founder of Charles Ewoh Health Care Foundation, High Chief (Dr) Charles Ewoh, stated that the outreach was borne out of the foundation’s vision to encourage people in rural communities to live a healthy life.

According to Dr Ewoh, the main focus of this year’s outreach was on diabetes and high blood pressure, noting that many people who are diabetic or hypertensive neglect taking the prescribed drugs with the resultant negative consequences on their health, therefore, the foundation’s intervention in enlightening the people on the need to take their prescribed drugs.

On the meaning of the concept, ‘Passion to help’, the medical doctor said, “We want people to be mindful of their health. If you love life, you will take care of your health. A lot of people know they are diabetic or hypertensive, yet they don’t take their drugs even when they have medicine at home. So we encourage them to love themselves by taking their drugs”

He further disclosed that a total of 12 doctors, four optometrists, fifteen nurses and three pharmacists from home and abroad participated in the outreach.

He noted that the event started in 2012 to 2013, but couldn’t continue in succeeding years because of the insecurity experienced in the area, adding that, another outreach would be embarked on if the area remains peaceful.
Dr Charles also appreciated the people for turning out in their numbers to present themselves for medical care.

The medical practioner , who practises medicine abroad, also revealed that the outreach is funded by his foundation and partners who contributed in various ways towards its success.

Also speaking, another sponsor of the programme, High Chief Salvation Ezegwogwo , said his health experience during his growing days influenced his passion to provide medical care to people, promising that the programme will be extended to other communities next year.
“I grew up in the village , I developed high blood pressure, but never knew i had it. If not for the opportunity i had later in my life,I would have died’.
‘People die every day because of ignorance, which is mostly attributed to charms, witchcrafts and others. This position particularly ignited my passion to help the needy medically”, he revealed.

When asked to charge others to emulate his kind gesture, the Managing Director (MD) of Gudlinks Services Nigeria Limited said, “I don’t need to charge them , because everyone is performing in his capacity and levels. From the local government level to federal, our representatives are doing their best to reduce the suffering of our people, so, we should appreciate and encourage them to do more.
He revealed that the decision to bring medical specialists from abroad is to give the people the best medical care that can be accessed only by the rich .
According to him, “Most wealthy persons travel abroad for their medical upkeep, so I felt my people deserve such treatment too, so when the opportunity came, I utilized it wholely”.

The Ogbele born Prince, who denied having any covert political ambition now or in the future, however , added that, “Except am directed to vie for any political office by God”.

On his pronounced title, he described it as a call to do more, thanking His Majesty, Eze Joshua Eyiba JP, Eze Igbu Igbuduya for deeming it fit to honour him.

Ezegwogwo urged the youths to be patient, dogged and wait on the Lord to perfect His Will, adding that nobody can succeed in his daily pursuit unless he believes and hands over his chosen endeavours to God Almighty.

An Igbuduya Prince, former Executive Chairman Ahoada West Local Government Area and one time Commissioner for Local government affairs, High Chief (Hon) Samuel Eyiba, said the happiness to assist his people overrides the capital expended on programmes like the medical outreach.
He called on the political class to get involved in more humanitarian deeds than bringing hardship to their people through avoidable crises.
The three days medical outreach, which took place in Ogbo, Ogbele and Okogbe communities in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, attracted many people who presented themselves for medical attention.
The beneficiaries were given free drugs at the programme.