By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UMUAHIA — The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abia State, in partnership with a United States–based NGO, the Onunwa Foundation, and the Nkechi Maternity and Surgical Center, Ohanze in Obingwa Local Government Area, has delivered free medical services to over 2,000 residents of the state.

The outreach covered treatment for common ailments such as malaria, eye conditions, and other health issues requiring surgical interventions.

Vanguard observed that more than 2,000 patients had already received medical attention as of the second day of the programme.

Speaking during the exercise, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Gladys Adama, explained that the outreach is part of the Corps’ 4th Quarter Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), designed to bring free medical care to rural communities that may be unable to afford standard healthcare services.

She noted that the NYSC deployed its medical personnel at no cost to beneficiaries, while the Onunwa Foundation supplied drugs, medical consumables, equipment, and logistics support.

“This NYSC 4th Quarter HIRD free medical outreach is solely sponsored by the Onunwa Foundation, USA, and the Nkechi Maternity and Surgical Center. A team of doctors brought by the Foundation from the USA are here with the NYSC medical corps attending to the health needs of the people. We are grateful to the CEO of the Foundation, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwakanma, for partnering with the NYSC and providing all the drugs and consumables needed for the success of this initiative,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwakanma, emphasized that the outreach was completely free for all patients. He said the Foundation brought medical doctors from the United States to serve less privileged residents and thanked the NYSC for its collaboration.

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who commissioned the renovated Nkechi Maternity and Surgical Center, commended Dr. Nwakanma and his siblings for expanding the former Nkechi Maternity Home into a fully functional hospital offering surgical services.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Foundation and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Acho Nwakanma, explained that the family rebuilt the facility to immortalize their late mother, Mrs. Jemaimah Nwakanma, who founded the former Nkechi Maternity Home and provided free medical care to less privileged members of the community.