By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Emeka Orji, has cautioned couples to plan their families effectively, citing the numerous free social programs initiated by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Speaking at the Local Government Secretariat during the presentation of free healthcare insurance for 1,000 citizens, Orji noted that the governor’s initiatives have made life easier for the residents of Anambra State.
“The free programs include antenatal care, delivery, education from basic to secondary school level, and soon, bursary payments for higher institution students. Additionally, the governor’s 1Youth, 2 Skills program which provides skills training and startup grants.
Orji emphasized that parents should plan their families, considering the benefits provided by the governor, to ensure they can adequately care for their children.
He reiterated that Anambra State is among the best in Nigeria, that Governor Soludo is doing wonders without borrowing, pointing out that the general hospital of its kind, fire service station have finally been erected in the area.
Orji called for the re-election of the governor, advising the beneficiaries to come out en masse and vote for APGA because the style of governance in the state is quite different from others, pointing out that other states who receives more allocation than Anambra State have not done what Governor Soludo has done in the state.
Health officials in Onitsha South Local Government Area also praised Governor Soludo’s Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) initiative, which provides subsidized healthcare to residents.
The Supervisor of Health, Hon. Mrs. Ebere Udodeme, noted that the program allows cardholders to pay a percentage of medical bills, with the government covering the rest.
Mrs. Udodeme encouraged residents to utilize the program and vote for Governor Soludo’s continuity, as the card requires yearly renewal.
Other health officials, including Celine Anokwute from Nweje Primary Health Center and Nneka Aniemeka from Methodist PHC, highlighted the benefits of the program to include free immunization and treatment at primary health centers and participating private hospitals.
The duo pleaded that people should comply whenever health workers come for cough test in their respective vicinities and the need to visit PHC in their areas.
In her speech, the Matron of Umunna Health Center, Mrs. Judith Mary Ofomata, emphasized the importance of the ASHIA card, noting that it enables cardholders to access healthcare at various facilities. She also provided health tips, including the benefits of early morning water, proper hygiene, and balanced diets.
She said that BP can be caused by noise, stress, the types of food we eat, example fatty foods, age and anxiety. She also said that pears, oil don’t cause malaria but the female mosquitoes.
The Health worker advised people to take their bath first by pouring water on the legs, saying that it reduces the pressure on the body, especially for people with BP, pointing out that starting from the head might cause slump, saying that it was most of the reasons men slump in the bathroom unlike women, because they don’t normally pour water on their heads.
Ofomata at the event advised people to ensure that the food they eat is properly cooked, parboiled very well to ensure that the preservatives were thoroughly out before consuming.
Contributing, the Legal Adviser, Barr. Stanley Okafor, described the ASHIA initiative as a commendable program that promotes health and wealth, urging our leaders to support its success.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of ASHIA cards to the enrollees.
Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
