NGO
commences free medical care for Abia pensioners
Posted By: Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
On: November 17, 2018 In: Health, News, News Update
A Non Governmental
Organization (NGO) that is known as Center For Public Health Initiative (CPHI)
based in Umuahia has commenced a free diabetic medical care for all pensioners
in Abia state which they will access until they die.
The free diabetic
treatment to all retired pensioners in the state was flagged off at the Pink
Rose clinic in Umuahia which is owned by Dr C’Fine Okorochukwu who is also the
Executive Director of the NGO and the senior citizens are expected to come
there every Friday for treatment.
Speaking with newsmen
in Umuahia during the flag of ceremony, Okorochukwu said that he was touched by
the plight of the pensioners in the state who have been suffering since they
retired from active service.
Okorochukwu said that
he has lost many diabetic patients who were mainly retirees due to their
inability to take care of their medical bills as they do not have money to eat
not to talk of medical bills.
He noted that diabetic
patients require constant check-ups, “I have noticed that when I treat any of
them and tell them to come back in two weeks time, you will not see them again
for another two-three weeks time and by then their situation would have been worse”.
“When I ask them why I
did not see them at our last appointment time, they will tell me, my son there
was no money to come for treatment since we have not been paid our pension and
there are many things seeking for financial attention”.
The executive director
of CPHI said that he was moved by their situation and decided to offer the free
medical to them as a form of giving back to society instead of allowing them to
die for an ailment he could easily handle.
He said that they
(NGO) will identify those with diabetes and other ailments associated with
people in their category and provide treatment in terms of drugs and
information on adoption of healthy lifestyle to elongate their lives.
Read Also: 500 get free medical care in Abia
Okorochukwu said that
if there are medical cases they cannot handle that they will refer them to the
best hospitals around and ensure that those who are supposed to help will be
alerted.
He made it clear that
the program will last so long as the pensioners are alive, “We as an NGO
intends to continue with it for the beneficiaries for as long as they live and
are wiling to come for treatment”.
The CPHI boss
explained that they are being funded by their foreign and local partners, good
spirited individuals, pharmaceutical companies, among others, adding that the
program might still be expanded to accommodate other members of the society if
they get adequate support.
In a lecture a
diabetic expert and indigene of the state, Dr. Ugochukwu Nwosu, said the people
need education on diabetes to learn how to control their sugar level to avoid
those complications that usually lead to death of persons with the disease.
He explained that they
need to listen to their body as it will always give them signals when they
sugar level is high, “All you need to do is to the back of your house and get
bitter leaves, squeeze and drink the water, your sugar level will come down”.
In a vote of thanks,
the state chairman of pensioners, Dr Emmanuel Okparanta thanked the NGO for
remembering them and prayed God to being with them as they go about taking care
of pensioners in the state.
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