The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu has described her free medical outreaches as an opportunity to extend vital health services to the most vulnerable members of the society as well as those in communities who due to limited resources are unable to afford and access quality healthcare.
Making the assertion while flagging off the 7th edition of the free medical outreach at the General Hospital Calabar, the Governor’s wife said, “we have recorded a tremendous milestone of free surgeries both major and minor, 2138 eye care services, 807 dental procedures, 898 Laboratory investigations, over 7,000 general consultations, reaching out to not fewer than over 15,000 beneficiaries in just two years.”
According to her, “the testimonies and transformation that we have received thus far from individuals who have benefitted from this initiative is heartwarming and encouraging, particularly those who have received free surgeries and life changing treatments. Many of them have given up hope due to financial constraints and their stories continue to inspire and rekindle my passion to extend and expand this programme.”
Bishop Eyoanwan Otu appreciated the State Governor, Apostle Bassey Edet Otu, for his unending support and People first leadership.” From the inception of this initiative, he envisioned a healthy Cross River State and he is committed to leaving a legacy of wellbeing for every citizen. Through the consistent and selfless partnership of my co-visional, the Faith Care International, we have brought joy and smiles to the faces of Cross Riverians and other Nigerians who have benefitted from our services, as we are Humanity Without Borders,” she stated.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk appreciated the Governor’s wife for consistently sponsoring the free medical outreach in the past two years through her NGO, noting that it has positively affected Cross Riverians and helped those with ailments requiring huge amount of money for treatment to access free medical procedures and treatments. “Through this initiative, Ikom now has a General Hospital. The general hospital in Akpabuyo in no time will be functional, for easy access to extensive health services,” he added, appreciating Bishop Otu for her numerous impacts in the Cross River State health sector in just 2 years and hoped for more.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the Programme Officer Humanity Without Boarders Empowerment Initiative (HUWIB), Mr. Jeffery Adamade inferred that women, children, men, the old and young including people with disability have benefitted from these medical outreaches. He stated that the Governor’s wife in the generosity and largeness of her heart has sponsored the free medical outreach in its 7th edition across the three senatorial districts, calling for sustenance.
“In less than 2 years, we have been able to carry out major and minor surgeries, ranging over 1700 persons, that is a feat that even the State Ministry of Health can attest the fact that you have reduced the out of pocket medical expenditure of the vulnerable in Cross River State, to the barest minimum. Through your NGO, you are hitting this goal, which is part of the SDG as a global mandate,” he said in appreciation to the Governor’s wife.
In his goodwill message, the CEO of Faith Care Outreach International, Prof. Peter Schnatz most Graciously thanked the Governor and his wife for their support, encouragement and partnership towards providing free health care services to the people, stating that it is an indication of God’s love. “Faith Care is an organization in the United States but it is also international, with outreaches around the world. We travel throughout the world seeing and caring for needy patients. The reason we do this is to meet physical needs of those around the world but ultimately to share the love of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, stated that “through this outreach funded by the NGO of our dear mother, we have been able to save numerous lives. Thousands of free surgeries, consultations, dental, eyecare, nose and ear examination has been done, and people have gone home with free medication, done free surgeries. This outreach has gone a long way to help us especially at the level of the Primary Health Care Development Agency with shortage of manpower, owing to the challenges that we have at the level of primary Health Care.”
“Her interventions do not just end with the outreaches. Very serious cases have been referred to tertiary health institutions and she foots the bills. Several limbs have been donated and in the last outreach, we harvested two serious cases. One was an enlarged uterine fibroid and the other, a complicated hernia, the surgeries were performed at the Teaching Hospital Calabar, costing millions of naira, and they were sponsored by the first lady, and several of such cases, unpublicized - the cases are numerous,” she concluded.
Also, the Mayor of Calabar Metropolis, Apostle James Anam, represented by the Vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Okon Nyong, appreciated the Governor’s wife for her kindness and commitment to the health and wellbeing of Cross Riverians. “These free medical outreaches are not just an initiative but a powerful demonstration of the people first agenda championed by your visionary husband, the Governor of Cross River State, Apostle Senator Bassey Edet Otu, which you so passionately embody,” he said.
“Your consistent effort particularly through your Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative has profoundly affected countless lives across our State, this free medical outreach is a clear manifestation of your belief that access to basic healthcare is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every citizen regardless of their social status,” he added.
The Director General, Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme (CRSHIS) Dr. Godwin Iyala while appreciating the Governor’s wife for her numerous free medical interventions to the vulnerable, informed that she has graciously enrolled 500 elderly people across the State into the State Health Insurance Scheme to enjoy free medical services for two years. Unveiling the Governor’s wife as a Brand Ambassador for the scheme, Dr. Iyala pledged the support of the scheme to every of her health interventions, stating that “the essence of putting resources together in the health scheme is for medical interventions.”
Highlights of the flag off was the flagging off the Mma Adiaha Health Care Insurance scheme, where 500 elderly citizens were registered with the CRSHIS; the flagging off the Measles Rubella Campaign; and a tour of the different units for the medical outreach.
