By Uche Chukwu, Onitsha. It was a thing of joy in Awka, Anambra State as the family of the late Prof Anthony Ikpechukwu Agbata has established a Health Foundation to provide monthly free medicare to Indigenes to bridge the gap being witnessed after the yearly Awka Union USA/Canada International Medical Mission. This measure followed the provision of free medical services which commenced in the year year to immortalize Professor Anthony Ikpechukwu Agbata, a notable Pathologist. The unveiling ceremony coincided with the medical outreach organized by Awka Union USA /Canada 5th International Medical. Outreach at Ezi- Umuanaga, Agulu Quarter, Awka. Speaking at this year's Prof Anthony Ikpechukwu Agbata Health Foundation free medicare at Ezi Umuanaga Agulu Quarter, Awka, Anambra State capital,the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Henry Onwumbiko hinted that the medical outreach aimed to provide quality and regular free medicare to patients who suffer from chronic health conditions. Dr. Onwumbiko equally pointed out that the Foundation provides general health screenings, basic consultations, health education, maternal and child health support, vision testing, and the distribution of essential drugs and reading glasses. He said the Health Foundation is a non-governmental foundation established in honour of the memory of Professor Anthony Ikpechukwu Agbata who until his passage into glory in 2024 was in-charge of the Awka Union USA/Canada International Medical Mission to Awka. According to him, the monthly health outreach coordinated by doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health supporters and volunteers holds at Udora Hospital and Maternity Ezi Umuanaga Village Agulu Awka every last Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. In her welcome address, the Facilitator of the Health Foundation, Dr. Tochukwuu Uyanwune (nee Agbata) who dwelt on the theme, "Bringing Quality Healthcare Closer to Our Community," noted that the Foundation will serve to provide continued healthcare to members of the community. Dr. Uyanwune (nee Agbata) Awka Union stressed that the establishment of the Foundation is to serve as a monthly interventionist free health care outreach for youths and elders with chronic conditions on the last day of Saturday every month until the yearly return of the Union:s International Medical Mission. The facilitator of the Foundation said the Foundation is the family's way of giving back to the community where her parents made immense contributions to community development, empowerment, human wellness and improvement in welfare needs. She said; "Many young people are dying from diabetes, hypertension and stroke because they are not getting treatment early enough." Dr. Uyanwune (nee Agbata) assured that doctors, nurses and pharmacists would always be present to attend to patients, provide medical advice and educate people on how to manage long-term illnesses.
“We want people to keep caring for their health until we return again,” she said.. The 2026 Lead Physician of the diasporan medical outreach professionals recounted that she left Awka for abroad at the early age of about 14 years and each time she called her parents back home in Nigeria on phone and enquired of the state of health of some family members, compatriots and well-wishers, she said she felt bad each time she was told some of them had passed away untimely fir lack of proper medical attention. She recalled with nostalgia that her parents have had to remind her time and again of desires to intervene and provide for people's wellness, stressing that such unfortunate incidents contributed to the establishment of the Foundation. "I feel fulfilled and happy because it's a way of giving back to the community. I'm from Awka and happy that we flew down all the way from USA and Canada to Nigeria to give back to the Awka community, where we grew up before travelling. This is our own little way of assisting the youths and elders who have chronic health conditions to life healthily and longer. This is our own little way of preventing untimely deaths. It's our own widow's mite to health, " Dr. Uyanwune (nee Agbata) added.