A total of 1,000 patients from across Anambra State have received free treatment of different illnesses and diseases, with 29 children also receiving free open heart surgeries courtesy from 82 foreign doctors.
This was during a medical mission in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, carried out by the foreign doctors.
The doctors flew into Anambra from the United States, Sweden, and Canada, under the VOOM Foundation and the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, to conduct free cardiovascular evaluations, medicare, and distribution of medicated eyeglasses to those with eye conditions, carried out today, Tuesday the 11th of October, 2024.
Patients handicapped on the legs, also went home with Walkers distributed by the foundation along with special gift packages for the host community.
While speaking, the Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Chidinma Okoye, announced that 29 children received free open-heart surgeries, while over 15 adults were granted treatments on discount bases for similar procedures.
Okoye also revealed that some adults who couldn’t afford the subsidized cost were given treatments free of charge.
The foundation also partnered with Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor, to address various eye challenges, with the medical outreach also conducting interventional cardiologists performance of catheterisations on 10 children.
Okoye noted that since the inauguration of the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital two years ago, 120 successful open-heart surgeries have been conducted successfully.
In his words he said, “In this Sept/Oct Mission of the VOOM Foundation, successful free open heart surgeries were carried out on 29 children while over 15 adults received a subsidized bill for the open heart surgeries performed on them.
“Some adults who couldn’t pay the subsidized bills were operated on free of charge by these international Medical Volunteers.
“During the Free Medicare programme, interveinal Cardiologists joined the Medical Experts and performed interveinal Catheterizations on 10 kids, the Foundation also partnered with Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor in terms of manpower to address many people with eye defects.
“With the conclusion of the Medical Mission, a total of 120 Open Heart Surgeries have been successfully carried out at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital Oraifite since the inauguration of this World Class Cardiovascular Facility two years ago.”
While speaking, the Executive Director of the VOOM Foundation USA, Shawn Pulliam, commended the commitment and zealousness of the 82 volunteer doctors.
Adding his voice, the Coordinator of VOOM Foundation Medical Missions, Rachael Crandall, described the mission as a significant milestone for the hospital, while calling for support from the government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals.
