By Tom Moses

IKOT—ABASI- NO fewer than 5,000 indigenes of Ikot-Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State and its environs benefitted from the free surgical outreach programme organized by the Family Empowerment and Youths Reorientation Programme (FEYReP) in conjunction with the Pro-Health International and the Akwa-Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN USA incorporated).

Mrs. Martha Emmanuel (right), attending to a child during the free surgical outreach, while members of the Pro-Health team watch.

The medical outreach, which attracted a large turnout of elderly men, women, youths and children, was held at the Ikot Abasi General Hospital.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the state governor, and initiator of the surgical outreach, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel said she decided to collaborate with the Pro-Health International, Akwa Ibom State Association, AKISAN, and Mkpat Abasi Medical group to provide free health services to the people, especially the poor.

According to her, quality health service delivery was one of her chief concerns adding that the industrialization drive of the state government could only be realized when the health of a good percentage of the productive labour was sound for them to actually rise to take up appointments and contribute their quota to the social, political and economic growth off the society.

She, however, called on other good spirited individuals to contribute their quota towards the well-being of the society, promising to continue partnering with relevant bodies not only to cater for the health needs but also ameliorate the suffering of people.

In his remarks, the Chief Medical Superintendent of the Ikot Abasi General Hospital, Dr. Richard Akpabio thanked the First Lady for join forces with Pro-Health International and AKISAN to initiate the health intervention exercise adding, “the free medical care has addressed the health challenges of over 5,000 people.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Pro-Health International, Dr. Iko Ibanga said the partnership with FEYReP, AKISAN and Mkpat Abasi Medical groups was to give back to the society and thanked the governor’s wife for the laudable vision of empowering Akwa-Ibom people health-wise as well as her selfless support for the less-privileged ones.

The leaders of Mkpat Abasi Medical Group, Dr. Anthony Udo Inyang, Miss Akwa Ibom, USA, Miss Samanta Nkanta and Dr. Joe Akpan all thanked the governor’s wife for her motherly love for Akwa Ibom children, noting that FEYReP within just a few months, has added value to lives across the state and promised to always continue to partner with government to add value to lives.

A cross section of beneficiaries who spoke with the Niger Delta Voice lauded Mrs. Emmanuel for the free surgical care and prayed God to reward her labour of love.