A non governmental organisation, Ujah Abah Education, a Health Foundation (UAEHF) has commenced annual free medical outreach with over 500 patients receiving various medical care including drugs in the first two days.
The annual Ujah Abah free medical outreach 2023 took place in Aidogodo Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government of Benue State. It attracted patients across the local government and medical experts from all parts of the country.
Addressing the medical experts, beneficiaries, community leaders among others, the founder and promoter of the annual free medical outreach, Innocent Ujah, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for the commencement of the 2023 free medical outreach despite emerging challenges.
Prof Ujah, who is the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, explained that the decision to sustain the annual free medical programme in the rural communities, was a way of giving back to the society his little contribution to humanity.
The vice chancellor who appealed to spirited individuals to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice as it was better to save life than kill cows for burials, urged people from neighbouring communities to take advantage of the free medical outreach to get examined, tested, treated and be referred if need be.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr Michael Onoja, commended Prof Innocent Ujah for sustaining the annual free medical outreach with the current situation especially with the high cost of drugs and other related medical items “apart from general logistics and welfare of medical experts across the country.”
Dr Onoja who described the promoter as a man of integrity and humility despite achieving so much, said the massive turn out, including the elderly and children, was an indication that he has impacted positively on the health needs of the grassroots people.
Speaking with The NIGERIA STANDARD, Dr Patricia Musa, a Consultant Ophthalmologist with Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo said over 100 patients with eyes related issues like cataract, refractive errors, presbyopia, allergic conjunctivitis, and inherited retina problems were attended to.
Dr Onoja Boniface Adokole of the GOPD, also commended Prof Ujah for giving back to the society by availing his people access to medical services in the rural communities through annual free medical outreach.
A beneficiary, Madam Maria Ode told SUNDAY STANDARD that she has been down for so long without money to go to the hospital but “today I am taken care of with drugs and most importantly, I have glasses to read which was not even part of my primary problem”.
