By Patrick Ochei
Weeks after the world class medical charity to persons living with disabilities in Aniocha North LGA by the Hope For Now International, stakeholders have continued to eulogize and commend the United States of American based NGO for such act of humanity exemplified in an elaborate medical mission.
The event held on the 12th and 13th of March, 2022, at the Primary Health Centre in Issele-Uku with over 100 persons living with disabilities treated and given life support equipment such as wheelchairs, eye glasses, walking aids and others.
In a post programme evaluation of the medical mission carried out, the testimonies are mind-blowing.
In a chat with the Traditional Ruler of Issele-Uku Kingdom, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka who was there as Special Guest of Honour to declare the medical outreach open, said that he was glad that those living with disabilities amongst the segments of Issele-Uku society were remembered to benefit specially from the series of medical missions that had taken place in the land.
He enjoined every well meaning individual in the society to look out for the physically challenged amongst us and see their needs as priority for the advancement of society, adding that they are humans and deserve better treatments like any other person.
Agbogidi Nduka warmly appreciated Anioma Medical Professionals Forum, AMPF, and Hope For Now International for making the medical mission for persons living with disabilities timely and possible. He also commended every other person who played a role from behind the scene to ensure the success of that programme.
The Monarch affirmed that he hosted the medical team at the end of their duty to chart a way forward, maintaining that such volunteering and dedicated NGO is key towards sustaining a healthier society going forward.
On his part, Member representing Aniocha North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi was thrilled at what transpired during the medical outreach for persons living with disabilities in Aniocha North.
He said he had organised such programmes for his constituents in the past but never thought of special event such as this for this segment of individuals.
He commended Hope For Now International for this initiative and commitment to see it happen; while also appreciating the Anioma Medical Professionals Forum for their consistency in bringing free, affordable and accessible health care delivery to the people of Anioma Nation.
Nwaobi who outrightly gave #200,000.00 to a physically challenged Aniocha North indigene to aid his recharge card business, appealed to other well-to-do individuals and Foundations to imbibe the compassion of caring for the disabled in the society.
Nwaobi as reliably gathered, also decided to show compassion to an 11 year old girl suffering from cerebral palsy by taking it upon himself to foot her treatment medical bills.
Dr. Michael Igwebuike Nwaesei, CEO of Hope For Now International spoke on behalf of the Foundation, affirming that God has graced him and his crew to do what they are doing with passion to see human beings and humans.
He said that God has blessed him enough and has envisioned him to help humanity and societies overcome common challenges that overwhelm people because of poverty.
Nwaesei stressed that the Foundation has done so much in terms changing the narratives in health needs of groups and communities within Anioma, but had just come up with this initiative to diversify towards persons living with disabilities in Aniocha North society and beyond.
What the Hope For Now International is planning to do in its next short term programme according to Dr. Nwaesei, is to build a Hope Centre as a rallying home for the depressed, hopeless, needy, less privileged, sickly and abandoned in the society.
Speaking with the Chairman of AMPF, Dr. Alexander Chidubem Awunor, he said he was overwhelmed seeing how happy such persons living with disabilities felt because of the act of kindness and love extended to them by the sponsors of the medical mission and of course the medical team.
His words, “This medical mission is the first of its kind and it gave us in AMPF intense pleasure seeing and putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged. The
essence of life itself is about the value one adds to the lives of others. We are very happy and we will always be available whenever there is an opportunity to serve humanity.
“On our own, we made some sacrifices ensuring that this programme came to reality. This we did knowing that there is joy and gladness helping those in need”, Awunor posited.
Meanwhile, those beneficiaries reached, affirmed that their joy knew no bounds at the medical outreach.
Miss Awele, Mr. Ikechukwu Mkpologwu and others thanked the organisers of the medical outreach for coming to their aids medically. They stated that they were happy being taken care of free, adding that they used to suffer a lot to raise money for treatment whenever they were sick.
They however, appealed for continuous support in terms of medicare and business empowerment from well meaning individuals, groups and government.
It was an elaborate medical mission where beneficiaries were treated of different ailments apart from surgeries.
A number of wheel chairs were also donated to deserving patients, while eye screening and dispensing of lenses, free consultation and counselling, dietary counselling, health talk on various health challenges, physiotherapy care and free laboratory assays, including drug distributions were some of the services rendered to these persons living with disabilities in Aniocha North.
