By Chidimma Okoye
The Survival Christ Holy Church, Ifite Ogbunike has organized a free medical outreach programme to honour her Founder, Revd JohnUkwu Obi on his 66th birthday.
The founder of Survival Christ Holy Church Rev. Obi in his remarks expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and to the Church for living up to expectation in the service to humanity.
He enjoined people to quit self medication in this new year, eat right with more of vegetables, fruits and also inculcate body exercise into their daily routine to keep fit and be healthy.
Rev. Obi eulogized the free medical outreach initiative, saying that it is essential to improve human lives.
“Prevention is cheaper and better than cure. Survival Christ Holy Church observes weekly physical exercise to maintain health, others should follow suit down to their Communities and homes.
“Never assume you are healthy until you are routinely certified by health professionals,” he advised.
The lead Doctor of the medical team at the programme, Dr. Chukwuemeka Mbeledogu said that high blood pressure and eye related sicknesses are prevalent in adults while malaria and helminthic infections are prevalent in children in the free medical outreach.
He said that High blood pressure is a common sickness in Africa and therefore, called on people to always do routine health checks of Blood pressure, Blood sugar, cholesterol, others, to know their health status for professional follow up and also pregnant women the avail themselves the opportunity of the free medical services made possible by Governor Chukwuma Soludo at Primary Health Centres in every community and in Government Hospitals for safe delivery of mother and child.
According to Dr. Mbeledogu, no fewer than 100 patients have been attended to, including those for free surgery which have been booked for later dates to ensure proper preparation process.
“Major sickness can liquidate you and lead to financial, mental and psychological poverty. Register for Health Insurance, ASHIA, NHIS to ensure adequate healthcare at all times,” he said.
Dr. Judith Ibewuike, an Optometrist that was among the medical team on ground lamented the high rate of Cataract and Glaucoma cases among patients, saying that eye is a vital organ that serves as the window to the whole body, which will stagnate the activities of every other parts of the body if it is shut down.
She, however, adviced people to prioritize professional routine checks for their eye health.
One of the patients, Mrs. Gloria Okaro from Ogidi thanked the organizers of the programme for the free care, medications and glasses given to her.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Edozie Aneme from Ogbunike, who said he had difficulty seeing far coupled with waist and leg pain expressed his gratitude for the free medications, tests and medical care, he urged other Churches and communities to emulate this kind gesture to reduce the need of the people around them.
Mrs. Mmasichukwu Omelusom said that she has been given medical advice, free medications for high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and food to her utmost amazement.
Chidimma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
