Ihiagwa Community gets Free-Medical Outreach from a kind "Hart"

Facilitator, Pharm. Ibitamuno Hart

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 will remain a memorable date in the hearts of the people of Ihiagwa Community in Owerri, Imo State, a day they trooped out in their numbers to enjoy the free medical services brought to them by a non-indigene of the community presently serving her fatherland, a kind hearted corper-pharmacist, Miss Ibitamuno Meshack-Hart.

Pharm. Hart who organised the programme as her Community Development Project, attracted the likes of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Orient FM/TV, and Nation Newspaper as media partners, also had other co-sponsors such as the Society for Family Health (SFH), Lenat Krystal Vision, FUTO medical centre and Zolon Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of EMZOR Pharmaceutical Company.

The programme featured health talks on good hygiene, drug abuse, eye examination, HIV screening and counselling, Blood glucose and pressure checks and treatment, distribution of mosquito nets, general consultation and health checks.

Indigenes of Ihiagwa Community

Pharm. Hart, an indigene of Rivers State, who is also a graduate of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the prestigious University of Port Harcourt stated that she was moved by the poor state of health of the people of the area and desired to put smiles on their faces hence she chose to organize a Free Medical Outreach as her CDS in line with the motto of the event, A helping hand is what we need.

Members of the NYSC and HOD, Pharmacy, FUTO Medical Centre

The event also had in attendance, other members of the NYSC serving in the area who came to assist their colleague in rendering services to the community. The paramount ruler of the community, the Zonal inspector of NYSC for Owerri Zone, the Head of Pharmacy Department and members of the Nursing unit of the FUTO medical centre were also in attendance. The programme had as its theme, Your Health is your priority and indeed was a great opportunity to sensitize the people of the community on the importance of taking issues concerning their health serious. The event was staged at the premises of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ihiagwa, very close to the Ihiagwa market square.

Zonal Inspector, NYSC Owerri Zone

The event which was anchored by the CEO of Pharma-Guide Digest who also is a Master of Ceremonies, Pharm. Joseph Ebirim (aka Mc Dr Spyce), was indeed very entertaining, timely and beneficial to the community given the closure of many government hospitals in Imo State due to strikes by workers protesting unfavourable management and government policies.

The Outreach programme revealed many cases of malaria, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, HIV infections, eye disorders, to mention but a few, among the people who were largely of low socioeconomic status. It thus beckons on the government of the state and other leaders to better the state of our health institutions so as to reduce the rate of avoidable deaths.