By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
In a bid to keep to the people’s first mantra and the ‘Health is Wealth’ saying, Governor Otu and his wife, Rev. Eyoanwan Edet Otu in collaboration with Faith Care Foundation and Henss Foundation have flagged off free medical outreach in Ikom Local Government Area.
The weeklong activities had Rev. Eyoanwan who was accompanied by the Governor while addressing the people of Ikom, averred that it is a season of sweetness and assured them to be expectant of more sweet things to come their way. She however revealed that she chose to carry out the exercise in Ikom because she schooled in Ekabokon in Ikom.
Royal fathers; Minan Takom Atangba, Paramount Ruler, Ikom, His Royal Highness, Nton Nsan, Clan Head of Nde welcomed and thanked the Governor and his wife for coming and for choosing Ikom for the outreach.
Speaking at the event, the Primary Healthcare Director for Ikom Local Government Area, Mrs. Anthonia Owan, commended the Governor’s wife for the health intervention but made some requests that were immediately granted by Sen. Bassey Edet Otu and promised to upgrade the Comprehensive Healthcare facility in the area to a General Hospital.
“From Monday 4th December 2023, thousands of people have benefited from free medical treatment, ranging from the most complex surgeries to general treatments. Your Excellency, permit me to request the following; immediate upgrading of the facility to a General Hospital as Ikom is larger as it has no government General Hospital, employment of more health workers, motivation of health workers in the state, through implementation of their promotions, provision of basic consumables and utility vehicles.”
In response, Rev. Eyoanwan posited “God willing, I intend to sustain it by attracting sponsors, foundations, and NGOs to come and collaborate with us. We will also plead with the government to support us. My motivation for this was out of the Bible’s admonition to love my neighbor as myself. It’s in accordance with my pet project ‘Humanity without borders initiative’, putting smiles on people’s faces gives me the joy of fulfillment.”
Responding to the quest, Otu commended the people for turning out in their numbers and for also voting him into office.
“I am happy to have you in these numbers because this goes a long way to strengthen our belief that we have to deliver. Thank you for your support during the elections. My assurance is that we will never let you down, we have put in our mandate that we will subsidize all factors of production, the first is human beings.
“I can give my words and commitment that this facility is immediately going to be upgraded to a General Hospital. The Commissioner for Health will start work with you here next week. By the time our friends from Faith Health Foundation come again, they will meet an upgraded facility.”
Also speaking, Dr comfort Oko, Special Adviser to the Governor’s wife on Administration gave a breakdown of the health intervention program: “In 3 days in Ikom, we have had 1,043 counselings, 93 surgeries, 95 lab/ investigations cases, 73 Dental cases, 285 Eye cases and 55 referrals, with a total of 1,762 patients attended to.”
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