By Ebele Egoh
Residents of Anambra State have been encouraged to take advantage of a free medical outreach currently taking place in selected general hospitals across the state under the Anambra State Laboratory Optimization Project (ASLOP).
The appeal was made on August 2 by the Director of Medical Support Services, Anambra State Hospital Management Board, Awka, Mrs. Nneka Uzor, on behalf of the Anambra State Hospital Administrator, Dr. Frank Ifeanaeme.
Mrs. Uzor explained that the outreach, supported by Bloom Public Health in collaboration with the Anambra State Hospital Management Board, is aimed at bringing quality and accessible healthcare services closer to the people while creating awareness about newly installed laboratory equipment in selected government hospitals. She stated that the outreach is being held at Solution General Hospital, Okpoko; General Hospital, Agulu; General Hospital, Oraifite; and General Hospital, Ukpor, with activities commencing daily starting in the morning.
According to her, beneficiaries will receive free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, HIV and Hepatitis B and C screening, height and weight assessment, health education in Pidgin English on preventive healthcare, as well as medical consultations with qualified health professionals. Mrs. Uzor noted that the initiative underscores the state’s commitment to preventive healthcare and early disease detection, which remain essential in reducing the burden of illnesses in communities.
She further explained that the programme is also designed to showcase modern laboratory equipment installed and fully operational in the participating hospitals. The equipment includes urinalysers for urine screening, hematology auto-analysers for full blood count and detailed blood analysis, and chemistry auto-analysers for testing cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and other biochemical markers, subject to reagent availability.
According to her, the availability of these machines in the selected hospitals has significantly improved the quality, speed, and accuracy of laboratory diagnosis, thereby enhancing healthcare delivery across the state. Mrs. Uzor reiterated that the ASLOP initiative continues to strengthen Anambra’s healthcare system by expanding access to reliable laboratory services, particularly in grassroots communities.
She urged residents to make use of the free medical outreach and encourage family members, friends, and neighbours to participate, emphasizing that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious health complications. “Your health matters. One visit can make a difference,” she said.
Ebele Egoh is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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