…Partners NMA, WHO, others for medical interventions

The Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, has constituted the Isi-Uzo Free Medical (FreeMed) Outreach Committee to help drive his administration’s Community Health agenda.

Signing the document establishing FreeMed Outreach Committee at the Council headquarters, Ikem, Obeagu said the FreeMed Outreach Committee was a Standing Committee that would, among others things, operate mobile clinic initiatives to provide various health screening and services to people, especially in remote communities.

The 27-Man Committee comprising Professors of Medicine, Pharmacists and health experts in diverse fields is chaired by a renowned Professor of Medicine and former Enugu State House of Assembly Member, Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor, while the CEO of NEMEL Pharmaceutical Company, who is also an industrialist, philanthropist and key national and international player in the medical field, Pharm. Nnaemeka Ugwu, was named the Vice-Chairman.

“The FreeMed will be a big healthcare intervention platform in Isi-Uzo. We are passionate about the health of our vulnerable populace and indigent people, who cannot afford basic healthcare. A situation where our people suffer from, and sometimes even die from, avoidable or curable diseases is not acceptable to us or the Governor Peter Mbah Administration. So, we will work to seriously tackle issues of maternal mortality.

“This initiative is an augmentation of the effort of the Governor Peter Mbah government, which is repositioning the primary healthcare in the state through the construction of 260 world class Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state and the ongoing massive recruitment of health workers,” he stated.

Hon. Obeagu expressed commitment to sustaining partnership with the state government to attract more of such democracy dividends to his people.

The Council Chairman, who noted that a community without a healthy population and workforce could not make any meaningful social or economic progress, said he had secured partnership with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other reputable organizations for critical medical interventions needed in Isi-Uzo.

He equally decried the proliferation of quack medical practitioners and fake drug dealers, who see remote communities as safe havens for making illegal money to the detriment of the health and safety of the rural populace.

“Our administration is determined to rid our local environments and Council of such fake and harmful health agents” Obeagu stated.

The FreeMed Committee is empowered to raise funds for sustainable funding of health projects, accept the donation of drugs and health equipment from donor agencies, philanthropic organizations, corporate bodies, national and international organizations and individuals. It will also coordinate capacity building of community health workers as well as community education and awareness programmes on health, hygiene, disease prevention, reproductive health, among others.

Other members of the Committee are Prof. Euzebus Ezeugwu, nominees of the Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on Health; Dr. Zikora Obiora and Dr. Benita Azaka, Representatives of Enugu State Ministry of Health and the Enugu State NYSC Coordinator represented by Mrs. Ifeoma Anike.

The Committee also includes the Head of Health Department, Isi-Uzo LGA, who is FreeMed Secretary; Representative of Women; First Lady, Isi-Uzo Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev Alloysius Agbo; Catholic Dean, Isi-Uzo LGA; Representative of Isi-Uzo Youth; Chairman of Isi-Uzo Traditional Rulers Council; Coordinator of President Generals of Isi-Uzo Town Unions; WASH Representative and ICT experts, among others.