By Emmanuel Antswen
Dr Onogwu Patrick, a special emissary, in collaboration with the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) and MEG Cancer Foundation, has provided free medical care to hundreds of residents of Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical services rendered included blood pressure checks, malaria parasite tests, Widal tests, hepatitis screening, random blood sugar and red blood cell checks.
NAN also reports that there were counselling, treatment of different ailments, surgeries and referrals for complicated cases.
Patrick, a Special Emissary of the International Society of Diplomats, said the initiative was conceived as a way of giving back to his community during the festive season.
The special emmisary explained that as an indigene of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, born in Otukpa, with both parents from the area, he found it expedient to give back to the community by providing free medical services to people who could not easily access healthcare.
The organiser added that the outreach also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health, particularly the 2030 and 2063 targets, which emphasise preventive healthcare and access to basic medical services.
He pointed out that creating health awareness at the grassroots would help prevent illnesses that could lead to death or long-term disability.
“Otukpa was deliberately chosen because of a huge deficit in healthcare delivery in the area. Many residents suffer from preventable and treatable illnesses due to poor access to medical services.
“The General Hospital, Ijadoga, is an old facility originally built during the colonial era and later taken over by the state government, but the hospital has become largely inactive due to industrial actions and poor staffing, leaving many residents without care.
“During the outreach, medical personnel encountered cases of malaria and other minor ailments, as well as patients suffering complications from previous surgical procedures.
“The initial plan was to attend to 200 people, 100 each day, but the turnout far exceeded expectations. On the first day alone, about 340 patients were attended to, while more than 300 people turned up on the second.
“Five cases were identified for surgical procedures on the first day, and three surgeries had already been carried out, including two major ones, while another was ongoing at the time of his briefing,” he explained.
According to him, while some cases were handled locally with the help of doctors drawn from private hospitals within the community, others requiring specialised care were referred to the Federal Medical Centre and the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, both in Makurdi.
Patrick appealed to the Benue Government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Ogbadibo Local Government Council to prioritise healthcare at the grassroots.
He described the condition of health facilities in the local government headquarters as “pathetic” and said it reflected years of neglect.
He urged government at both levels to invest more in healthcare infrastructure and personnel to save lives and improve the wellbeing of residents.
The Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council, Mr Sunday Ajuma, in a goodwill message described the outreach as remarkable.
Ajuma, who was represented by the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Human Resources, Mr Eloyi Ogbe, said the intervention was in line with the vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration in transforming the healthcare sector in Benue.
The chairman commended Patrick for organising the outreach without any political motive and encouraged other well-meaning individuals to emulate the gesture.
Also speaking, the Och’Otukpa of Otukpa Kingdom, Chief Sunday Ekele, called on his subjects across Owukpa, Otukpa and Orokam districts who have the means to take a cue from Patrick
The traditional ruler said Patrick had supported the community in different ways in the past and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.
He also appreciated the Benue Government for granting approval for the use of the government facility for the outreach, describing the exercise as consistent with the governor’s health sector transformation agenda.
The Outreach Coordinator, Dr Magdaline Dakogol, described the outreach as successful.
Dakogol said the medical team hoped to extend outreach initially slated for the 28th and 29th of December to a third day to handle more surgical cases and attend to additional patients.
The coordinator stressed that the initiative was purely an act of goodwill, noting that Patrick funded the outreach personally while the collaborating partners provided moral support and presence.
A public health specialist, Miss Peace Patrick, who volunteered as a counsellor during the outreach, emphasised the importance of disease prevention.
Patrick said residents were educated on environmental hygiene to prevent malaria, the use of mosquito nets, and safe practices to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
She warned that while some diseases can be treated, others cannot, making prevention the safest option.
Mary Ohentonye from Ipole Otukpa, who received treatment for a swollen hand, said she was already feeling relief and prayed for God’s blessings on Dr Patrick and the medical team.
Similarly, an elderly man, Ignatius Ugwu from Nsukka, Enugu State, who was diagnosed with arthritis and was awaiting prescribed drugs, prayed for God to uplift Patrick in a better and higher way. NAN
