By Admin
Lifted Hands, a United States-based medical mission team, has announced plans to extend its 2026 free medical outreach in Nigeria to all South-East states.
The mission which had been held in Anambra, Imo and Abia will now be extended to Enugu and Ebonyi states.
The 2026 mission will be the sixth edition of the medical programme in Nigeria since its inception in 2020.
The mission, founded by the family of the late Chief Nelson Obiefuna Okaro in honour of their late mother, Mrs Akueze Gladys Okaro, is a medical outreach initiative in memory of the Matriarch.
Over the past six years, the organisers have consistently visited Nigeria with volunteer medical professionals from diverse fields, including foreign nationals, offering services ranging from diagnosis and treatment to selected surgical procedures.
In statement on Monday, the President and Founder of the group, Moses Okaro, said the 2026 mission, scheduled for July, would continue to offer general medical consultations, dental care, mental health services, eye surgeries, diagnosis, treatment and selected surgical procedures.
He added that the outreach would also provide educational and humanitarian support through scholarships, distribution of school bags, writing materials, clothing and footwear for both children and adults.
According to him, medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, blood pressure monitors, glucometers and test strips would also be distributed to beneficiaries during the outreach.
“Our very first and second outings were held in our hometown, Ogidi, Anambra State, where people from across the state received free medical treatment. We later discovered that many participants also came from neighbouring states, and we accommodated everyone.
“In 2024, we expanded to Imo state, and in 2024, we added Abia state. With the addition of Enugu and Ebonyi, the mission will now cover the entire South-East region.
“Although the mission also serves as a cultural experience for the volunteers from America, we discovered that more people are joining the outreach to both experience Nigeria and render humanitarian services.
“The mission has become a fusion of service to humanity and tourism for the Americans, who enjoy visiting notable places in the country and watching cultural displays such as masquerade performances organised for their entertainment,” Moses said.
According to him, more than 50 volunteers participated in the 2025 mission.
“We already have over 80 volunteers registered for the 2026 outreach, including nurses and doctors. We have also shipped containers of medication and other relief materials intended for distribution to beneficiaries, as we do during every mission.
“Not only do the volunteers offer their services free of charge, many of them also contribute financially to support the foundation.
“We raise funds for the foundation through donations and charitable contributions,” he added.
Moses urged well-meaning Nigerians interested in supporting the mission to volunteer and assist in providing healthcare services to underprivileged individuals, who cannot afford hospital bills.
“LIFTED HANDS Inc. 2026 edition will work hand in hand with IYOM OGIDI, in waking and relaunching the OGIDI GENERAL HOSPITAL for better healthcare for the Ogidi community and its environs, hometown of the foundation founders,” he added.
