By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Community Engagement for the South East region, Barr. Chioma Nweze has flagged off a free medical program for citizens of the region.
Nweze said the program, which is in partnership with David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, DUFUHS, will offer free cancer screening, eye tests, and dialysis treatment, aims to improve healthcare outcomes and promote economic growth in the region.
In the ground breaking event held at the university premises in Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State, the SSA said the initiatives are aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of the South Eastern.
“We recognize that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every individual in the South East has access to it, regardless of their background or financial situation.”
Nweze stated that he medical program which is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, a comprehensive initiative launched by President Tinubu to address the region’s healthcare and economic challenges will provide free medical services to those who cannot afford healthcare, with a focus on cancer screening, eye care, and dialysis treatment.
In addition to the medical program, Nweze also launched a four-month free tailoring training exercise with start-up grants, titled “Skill-Up South East Agenda.”
She said the initiative aims to empower youths in the region with skills in tailoring and fashion design, promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth
According to Nweze: “Our participants will be selected from each of the 97 Local Government Areas in the South East, ensuring that every community is represented. We believe that by providing our youths with the necessary skills and resources, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
“We will continue to invest in our people, to promote economic growth, and to improve healthcare outcomes. We will continue to partner with stakeholders and leaders of South East at all levels, to leverage resources, and to drive change.
She, applauded the president for showing sense of inclusive governance to South East.
The SSA, Nweze, however, thanked the minister of works David Umahi and the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru and other prominent stakeholders in the South East region for their contributions towards the progress and development going in the region.
Earlier in a remark, the vice chancellor of DUFUTH, Prof. Jesse Uneke said: “At the DUFUTH cancer centre, a total of 207 cancer patients have so far been treated. Of this number 88(42.5%) were males while 119 (57.5%) were females. A total of 107 (51.7%) of the patients were aged between 40yrs and 69years old.
“The commonest cancer were breast cancer 53 (25.6%), prostrate cancer 43 (20.8%)” and commended the SSA on community engagement South East region for organizing free medical program the people of the region, “A total of 600 people have benefited from the free eye test and free eye glasses” Uneke stated.