By Egbuna 'Mujekwu
It was an excitement galore as no fewer than 3000 indigenes and non-indigenes of Awka community and environs benefitted from the ongoing 5th editionof tthe International Medical Mission of the Awka Union USA/Canada. The free medical services started from Umuzocha, through Ndichie Hall Umudioka, Ezi Umuanaga Village Agulu Quarters; Umuokpu Village Hall, to Manari Osonwa Free Clinic, Obodjezi, Obunagu Village Amikwo Quarter respectively on May 11, and ends May 15, 2026. Addressing newsmen on the significance of humanitarian gesture, the President-general of Awka Union USA/ Canada, Dr. Anthony Nwobum said that the medical mission was part of their larger mission of the Union to ensure Awka people are united and socialized Dr. Nwobum observed that the medical mission was holistically funded by individual members of Awka Union USA/Canada as agreed at its annual Convention. He pointed out that about 60 health personnel were engaged to assist the Union in the provision of free health care services to the patients whose number hit 300 as at press time. Also, the President of Awka Union of USA/Canada, Onyebuchi Mbonu disclosed that branches of Awka Union in USA and Canada pooled resources to provide free medical services to people of Awka as a means to give back to the community from where they come from. Mbonu lamented: failure of Federal and Stare governments in meeting the medical needs of the citizens to the point that Nigerian citizens abroad are completed to intervene. He said: "Nigerian government has failed in the area of provision of health care services. "If government has been doing its best we would have no need to come here for this mammoth crowd in attendance. Also speaking, the Chairperson of Awka Union USA/Canada, Dr. Gloria Adigwe hinted that the free medical mission is aimed at alleviating poverty through provision of free health care services such as eye care service, provision of eyeglasses, and general medicine in the areas of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Pain, Stroke, Malaria, Arthritis, etc. Adigwe recounted that the medical mission started in 2017 and has since lived up to its billing of ensuring the bridging of gap in provision of medical services to the needy patients who cannot afford the funds to travel in search of medicare abroad. Adigwe charged governments at all levels in Nigeria emulate its counterpart abroad that has a programme of Social Determinants of Health to provide access to health to poor citizens According to her, "Instead of allowing our people to go abroad for health care, we believe that it's better to save costs and bring the medicare services down to our people here in Awka." In his contribution, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of Awka Union USA/Canada, Comrade Chuks Nweke observed that the mission of the Union has led to such outcomes of increased life span, access to quality drugs, healthy living, improved eye sight, personal income savings, poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods among others.
In her contribution, the Lead Doctor of the Awka Union USA/Canada's Medical Mission, Dr. Titi Uyanwune confirmed that no fewer than 60 health personnel were engaged by Awka Union of USA/ Canada comprising 12 doctors, 12 Pharmacists, 4 Optometrists, 2 radiographers and 14 Nurses and 20 Support Staff Uyanwune, a diaspora-based physician observed that Awka Union USA/Canada undertakes yearly medical mission to provide healthcare, maintenance and education for the well-being of the populace, calling on government to step up interventions, establish more health centres and improve healthcare delivery to assist achieve its target of reducing chronic health conditions among the patients.of the people. In his remarks, a stakeholder, Chief Kanayochukwu Obidigbo described as expensive, wonderful and impactful ,the medical mission by Awka Union USA/Canada, an affiliate of Awka Development Union, Nigeria (ADUN) to bring healthcare and welfare to the people of Awka and environs consistently for not less than a decade. Obidigbo noted: "The mammoth crowd here for the free health care services tells you that there's need to focus on healthcare delivery to. the people and sustenance of the.Awka Union USA/Canada Medical Mission." in his remarks, a health beneficiary and 78-year old retiree, Onuorah Okafor appreciated the organizers for the continuous provision of humanitarian services especially medicare and welfare to the needy persons in the Community.