Over 600 get free medical aid in Delta

No fewer than 600 residents of Ibusa and environs in Delta State have received free medical aid courtesy of the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW).

The residents, including the elderly, men, women, teens and children, defied the relentless downpour to attend a medical outreach last weekend.

Amongst them were those who needed quality medical services and some others with debilitating health conditions and with no money to pay their medical bills.

The annual medical outreach was held in collaboration with Ibusa Association USA Inc. at the St Augustine Catholic Church, Ibusa, in Oshimili North LGA.

AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, said the association, founded in 2012, has lawyers, medical doctors, pharmacists, realtor, teachers, fashion designers and other professionals as members.

Noting that the government can not meet all the needs of its citizens, she said the group has taken it upon itself to contribute its quota.

Mrs Idigbe, who is the Managing Partner of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, said the outreach included full medical checkups, eye screening, provision of reading glasses, and diagnosis and treatment of malaria, arthritis and glaucoma.

Residents were also screened and treated for cervical, prostate, and breast cancer, she said.

Mrs Idigbe noted that despite her other philanthropic engagements through the Punuka Foundation, she found AIPROW’s medical outreach fulfilling because of the impact on the community, as charity begins at home.

The association also held a career and mentoring session for pupils at Ibusa Girls’ Secondary School.

Mrs Idigbe said: “These interventions are a way to give back to our society because health is wealth.

“We also have a girl child mandate to help and mentor them.

“Two years ago, this medical outreach detected early stage of breast cancer in a woman. She was operated on and is alive and present here.

“Last year, another woman had surgery with our partners in the U.S. Ibusa Association USA Inc. footing part of the  medical expenses.”

Mrs Idigbe said many did not believe the free medical assistance was real until those who benefited shared their stories.

She stressed that aside from AIPROW’s collaboration with Ibusa Association Inc. USA, the association is funded solely by members, a few friends and some spouses.

She added: “We chose the medical outreach because lots of people have medical needs.

“They sometimes can not get good doctors and medical personnel to attend to them.

“Also, the elderly in the community were prone to falls because they could not see well. We got them corrective glasses.

“Many arthritic and malaria cases were very prevalent, so we decided to take action.

“Today, the medical outreach has grown bigger, impacting a lot of people.”

She acknowledged Prof Ifeoma Utomi as the brain behind AIPROW, paying tribute to her role as the pioneer president.

Prof Utomi, on her part, said AIPROW remains committed to its goal of improving lives.

She added: “This group started with five or six members in 2012, and it has grown in geometric proportions.

“I am very fulfilled and happy that we found someone like Mrs Idigbe, who incidentally was my Vice President, to hand over to.

“She is capable and able. I hope that the legacy will continue for generations yet unborn to benefit from the group in many other ways.”