Thousands of residents across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State have benefited from the free medical outreach programme initiated by the First Lady, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, in the last two years.
Otu disclosed this during the flag off of the second round of her free medical outreach 7.0 and the launching of Mma – Adiaha Cares, Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, as well as a one-day orientation/sensitisation meeting with wives of the 18 local government area chairmen and other women groups on Measles and Rubella Vaccines MRV in Cross River State, held at the General Hospital Calabar, on Tuesday.
She said the seven days free medical outreach, which is in collaboration with United States of America Faith Care Outreach International and the state Ministry of Health, has so far recorded a remarkable milestone, with free major and minor surgeries, 2,138 eye care services, 807 dental care procedures, 898 laboratory investigations, over 7,000 general consultations and reaching out to over 15,000 beneficiaries across the state in just two years.
The first lady said the number is in addition to those reached in the first edition of the outreach, which spanned across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Otu said the free medical outreach under her Humanity Without Borders Initiative is one of the programmes deeply rooted in her heart because it enables government to extend vital health care services to the most vulnerable in the society and those in the communities who, due to limited resources, are unable to afford and access quality health care.
She said, “The testimonies and transformation that we have received this far are heartwarming and encouraging, especially from individuals who have benefited from this initiative, particularly those who have received free surgeries and life-changing treatments.
“Many of them had given up hope due to financial constraints, and their stories continue to inspire and rekindle my passion to extend and expand the programme.
“Through the consistent and selfless partnership of my co-visioners, the Faith Care International, we have brought joy and smiles to the faces of Cross Riverians and other Nigerians who have benefitted from our services as we are humanity without borders,” she said.
In a goodwill message, the Team Lead and Chief Executive Officer of Faith Care International, a major partner of the initiative, Prof Peter Schnatz, said the organisation has been working in Nigeria in the past 33 years and have been traveling around the world to show the love of Christ in healing the sick so that the people can begin to have a relationship with Jesus in recovery.
He said that as a non-profit organisation, their priority is to share love and bring health, hope and healing to the people, especially the vulnerable ones.
Schnatz lauded the first lady for the initiative that has brought relief to thousands, especially the indigent and vulnerable.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, the Director General, Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Sir Godwin Iyala, and the Director General of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Vivian Mesembe, thanked the governor’s wife for the initiative that has brought relief and smiles to the faces of citizens, especially those who cannot afford quality health care.
The event featured the decoration of the first lady as the Brand Ambassador of the Cross River State Health Scheme.
