Over 5,000 People Benefit from Awka Union USA/Canada Free Medical Mission

By Raymond Ozoji, Awka

People have been strongly advised to prioritize their health, especially after the age of 40, by undergoing comprehensive medical check-ups at least once every year for the early detection of illnesses, rather than waiting until they fall seriously sick before visiting the hospital.
This formed the crux of a five-day free medical outreach and health education programme organized by the Awka Union USA/Canada, during which over 5,000 persons benefited from the fifth edition of the initiative.
The medical outreach featured free medical screening, diagnosis and treatment, eye examinations, medications, and the distribution of free eyeglasses.
The exercise was conducted at Umuzocha Village Hall, Ndichie Hall in Umudioka Village, Ezi-Umuanaga Agulu Awka, Umuokpu Village Hall, and the Manari Osonwa Primary Healthcare Centre, Obodoezi Obunagu Amikwo, all within Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Some of the major health conditions discovered by the medical team included diabetes, hypertension, ulcers, malaria, poor vision, and other chronic ailments. The team also frowned at the widespread practice of self-medication and self-prescription among community members.
Speaking with journalists at the Manari Osonwa Primary Healthcare Centre, Obodoezi Obunagu Amikwo Awka, where the grand finale of the fifth edition of the Awka Union USA/Canada International Free Medical Mission was held, the President-General of the Awka Union USA/Canada, Dr. Anthony Nwaobum, said the organization came fully prepared with a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians, optometrists, and other healthcare personnel, alongside medications, eyeglasses, and medical supplies, all provided free of charge.
Dr. Nwaobum observed that many Nigerians only visit hospitals when they become critically ill, stressing that the free medical outreach served as a rescue mission for many people in the communities.
According to him, the team discovered several individuals suffering from diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, and other health conditions without being aware of them.
He added that many beneficiaries also presented with vision-related problems, which the team addressed by providing vision glasses, reading glasses, and eye medications free of charge.
Also speaking, the Lead Physician of the 2026 Awka Union USA/Canada International Free Medical Mission, Dr. Tochukwu Agbata Uyanne, said the initiative was designed not only to provide medical care but also to educate rural dwellers on proper healthcare practices.
She explained that health education empowers people to take proper care of themselves and make informed decisions concerning their wellbeing.
Dr. Uyanne disclosed that chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and ulcers were among the most common ailments diagnosed during the outreach. She stated that free medications were provided to beneficiaries, while patients with visual impairments also received reading glasses and eye medications at no cost.
She, however, lamented the high level of illiteracy among many rural residents, noting that poor understanding of health issues contributes significantly to improper healthcare practices.
According to her, ignorance and illiteracy have encouraged widespread self-medication, as many people patronize pharmacies to purchase drugs without proper medical diagnosis or prescriptions, thereby exposing themselves to greater health risks.
Dr. Uyanne emphasized that one of the major objectives of the outreach was to educate people on the dangers of self-medication and the importance of consulting qualified medical doctors for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Manari Osonwa Primary Healthcare Centre, Obunagu Amikwo Awka, Chief Onuorah Godwin Osonwa, described the outreach as a commendable initiative, noting that it was the second time the Awka Union USA/Canada International Free Medical Mission was hosted at the facility.
Chief Osonwa disclosed that since the hospital was built by him and later handed over to the Anambra State Government for effective management, about 20 newborn babies had been delivered at the centre.
He further explained that the healthcare facility also operates an ICT section where children are trained in computer skills after school hours daily.
The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Manari Osonwa Primary Healthcare Centre, Mrs. Pauline Okongwu, described the medical mission as a worthwhile intervention and an important avenue for increasing public awareness about the existence and functionality of the hospital.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs. Virginia Onwuka, aged 61, from Amawbia; Mrs. Patricia Ekwegbeli, aged 78, from Amudo Village; and Mr. Sunday Nwosu, aged 70, from Amikwo Village, who were diagnosed with various health conditions, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to benefit from the outreach and receive free medications, which they noted would have been very expensive elsewhere.
Coordinator of the Eye Care Section, Dr. Innocent Oguadimma, disclosed that the team discovered that many residents lacked access to quality eye care services and, in many cases, could not afford professional treatment even when they knew where to seek help.
According to him, investigations further revealed that many of the eyeglasses and eye drops previously used by residents were inappropriate for their actual eye conditions.
Dr. Oguadimma explained that the free medical mission created an opportunity for residents to access professional eye care services, receive proper eye examinations, and obtain suitable eyeglasses and medications free of charge.
Some beneficiaries, including Chief Ndubueze Patrick Iloanya, aged 81, Chief Sunday Iloanya, aged 84, and Mrs. Stella Iloanya, aged 68, all from Obunagu Amikwo, confirmed that they received free eyeglasses and medications that significantly improved their vision.
Another beneficiary of the Awka Union USA/Canada International Free Medical Mission, Mr. Felix Onwuegbune Chukwunenye, a native of Obunagu Village, Amikwo Awka, who also received free eyeglasses, observed that eye-related issues constituted a significant percentage of the medical cases handled during the outreach.
Chukwunenye, who is also a member of the Management Committee Board of the Manari Osonwa Primary Healthcare Centre, commended the Awka Union USA/Canada medical team for their dedication and passion for community healthcare delivery.
He further praised the philanthropic contributions of Chief Onuorah Godwin Osonwa, noting that the establishment of the healthcare centre in Obunagu Village played a major role in attracting the Awka Union USA/Canada medical team to the area.