MARKET CHAIRMAN, TRADERS LAUD SOLUDO, ASMATA  LEADERS ON FREE MEDICARE TO TRADERS 

By Juliana Nwachukwu/ Ngozi Okoli :

The Chairman of New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Chief Stephen Oforle and traders, have lauded Governor Charles Soludo and ASMATA leaders on the free medical treatment to traders.

Chief Oforle made the commendation while fielding questions from newsmen  in his office stating that, “It is a thing of joy that it is being done here in our market, I also provided a conducive environment for them. Traders trooped out en masse, like yesterday, they over stayed their time due to massive turn up.

“As we help to sensitize traders to make sure the free medical treatment yielded fruits, I as well plead to the state government for the continuation of this free medical treatment and provision of drugs to help in case of critical conditions.”

He however frowned at the inability of Africans especially Ndi Igbo to go for medical check ups, adding that instead they are more interested in their businesses than health, stressing that a healthy person enjoys wealth and they should check their health status at least two or three times in a year.

Director of the ASMATA free medical treatment program, Ambassador Ezeilo Flanklin (who is also a medical biochemist), informed the crowd the event was the final stop in Idemili zone after previously visiting Ekwulobia, Aguata, and Awka zones. He remarked that the medical outreach is part of ASMATA’s commitment to serve the seven zones of its region.

He explained that they have treated over 300 patients in these zones and records so far showed that the most pronounced medical cases were BP and sugar.

The director noted that although ASMATA has adequately provided for the outreach, attendance has been low in some zones. Mobilization efforts need to be improved to ensure more traders take advantage of the free health check-ups.

He advised that one should go for routine check and know the parameters of his body system, vital signs and know if you are healthy or not before you pursue money.

” It is very important to do this continuously, I even said that I will personally reach out to the commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike, he is doing well in primary health in the state but will ask him to find a way to collaborate with ASMATA.

” I urge the state government, governors’ wife, I love what she is doing in health status of Anambrarians, I ask all parastatals of health to come together to form a bond with ASMATA to do this often, because without the health of the traders, they will not trade well to pay tax and governor will have money for all the infrastructural development,” he stated.

Comrade Anayo Ibeabuchi, PRO New Auto Spare Parts stated that New Auto Spare Parts is the venue for about 12 markets under Idemili North and South.

He commended the organisers of the free medical treatment and the traders as well as those who participated in the free medical exercise.

* Nwachukwu and Okoli are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *