Ogbogwu Market Onitsha Invests ₦5m in Free Healthcare, Targets 3,000 Traders

Mr. Chukwuleta Ndubuisi (centre) with other market executives supervising the free medical outreach programme at Ogbogwu Drugs Market, Head Bridge, Onitsha

By Eche Nwaobasi, Nnewi

The leadership of Ogbogwu Drugs Market, Head Bridge, Onitsha, has continued its five-day free medical outreach programme for traders in the market, providing essential healthcare services to those who cannot afford medical treatment in hospitals.

The medical outreach, which commenced on Tuesday, is being organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Health.
More than 3,000 traders are expected to benefit from the programme before its conclusion.
The exercise is being conducted at the market’s headquarters, where a team comprising two medical doctors, seven nurses, an optician, a pharmacist, and other healthcare personnel from the Anambra State Ministry of Health, providing medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment, and medications to beneficiaries.
The exercise attracted a large number of traders, who thronged the venue with enthusiasm to receive free medical attention.
Speaking to journalists during the exercise, the Chairman of Ogbogwu Drugs Market, Mr. Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, said the free medical outreach was initiated by his administration as part of its commitment to improving the welfare of traders.
According to him, the programme is being organised by the market executive in partnership with the Anambra State Ministry of Health, which provided the medical personnel, while the market leadership supplied the logistics, drugs, and other necessary support for the exercise.
He explained that the primary objective of the outreach is to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for low-income traders who are unable to afford the rising cost of medical treatment.
Mr. Ndubuisi further disclosed that, beyond the ongoing outreach, his administration had earlier established a medical clinic within the market headquarters to provide regular healthcare services for traders.
He described the initiative as part of the leadership’s responsibility to safeguard the health and well-being of members of the market.
Commenting on the response from traders and the expected outcome of the programme, the chairman described the turnout as overwhelming.
He revealed that reports from the medical team indicated that more than 500 traders were attended to on the first day of the exercise. He expressed optimism that by the end of the five-day programme, over 3,000 traders would have benefited from the free medical services.
On the financial implication of the programme, Mr. Ndubuisi acknowledged that the outreach would require substantial funding.
However, he stressed that the market leadership was more concerned about the positive impact the initiative would have on traders than the amount being spent.
He reiterated that the executive was fully prepared for the successful implementation of the programme and expressed satisfaction with the impressive participation recorded so far. He added that the medical personnel had informed him that hundreds of traders accessed treatment on the opening day, while even more participants were expected before the programme ends.
“We are not focusing on the cost of the drugs or other logistics,” “Our primary concern is the impact this programme will have on the lives of our traders. So far, we have spent about ₦5 million on the procurement of drugs and other essential medical supplies needed for the treatment of beneficiaries, and we believe the investment is worthwhile because the health and well-being of our members remain our top priority.”he said.

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