The Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) Saturday, commenced its free medical outreach in Abia with capacity-building training for support staff as well as non-governmental organizations, and NGOs in the state.
The NGOs include Academic Core Values Orientation Initiatives led by its president, Dr Ngozi Okechukwu.
The President of ANPA, Dr Mrs Chinyere Anyaogu-Eziri said ANPA organizes free medical outreach yearly and has decided to come to Abia State to support the work the state governor, Alex Otti is doing.
Dr Anyaogu-Eziri, who disclosed that five surgeries had already been done on Friday night, and which ended Saturday morning 6th April 2024 by 2 am, said during the ANPA week with stakeholders, they will perform medical service, capacity building, and advocacy in line with their vision to have healthier Nigerians and healthier World.
Also speaking, the National President of Abia State National Association of North America, which comprises US and Canada, High Chief Enyinnaya Alamba expressed his gladness to partner with ANPA in providing free medical care to Abians and commended ANPA President, Dr Chinyere Anyaogu-Eziri and the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi over the initiative.
He expressed his satisfaction with what he saw when he visited the facilities at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia where the surgeries are taking place.
A surgeon from America, Dr Iyore James, an indigene of Edo State who was part of the surgeons that started kidney transplant program at FMC Umuahia in 2018, expressed her readiness to assist people in retaining their health.
Another US medical expert from Croatia, Dr. Nancy Kheck assured that ANPA is prepared for the mission and will do its best for Abians.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the chairman, Local Organising Committee of the program and the MD of FMC Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi said the team is ready to handle 340 surgical cases apart from other medical cases in the state, as well as five hundred eye cases.
Professor Azubuike disclosed that the team which did the five surgeries yesterday (Friday) night is ready to perform other surgeries before Monday, the takeoff day of the program.
He further disclosed that the program is expected to handle 20 cases in each of the 17 LGAs in the state.
In her goodwill message through Zoom, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM applauded the efforts of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, ANPA and wished them successful mission in the state.
The mission which will handle medical care and consultation, surgical care, and eye care is expected to end on the 16th of April.
