Anambra State Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism in collaboration with Beacon of Hope Outreach USA, yesterday, flagged off a free medical intervention programme aimed at combating organ impairment and life-threatening diseases for civil servants.
The programme is expected to hold daily at the ministry where workers with life-threatening ailments will be screened, after which those whose conditions require higher medical examinations will be taken to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities for treatment and management, free of charge.
The commissioner in charge of the ministry, Dr. Christian Madubuko, who flagged off the programme in Awka, said it is a component of Governor Willie Obiano’s development agenda to improve healthcare and give disadvantaged workers access to quality medical care.
He disclosed that a total of 175 members of staff of the ministry have so far benefitted in the ongoing exercise, which he said will be an annual event.
The commissioner encouraged staff of other ministries to utilise the opportunity to make themselves available for screening and treatment of medical conditions that can limit their mental and physical development.
The programme consultant, Dr. Philip Ume-Ezeoke, in his brief lecture, noted that the intention of the medical mission was borne out of the commitment of the Anambra State government through the Ministry of Diaspora to bring down the rate of diseases and disabilities among civil servants in the state.
He urged workers who have health challenges not to allow shame deter them from benefitting from the free exercise.
The founder of the outreach, Lady Celestina Ekezie, praised the Anambra State government for approving the medical intervention, stressing that it was an investment the state would not regret.
