No fewer than 1,000 patients of Ekwusigo Local Government Area in Anambra State benefitted from the free medical outreach by Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF).
The medical outreach which offered free cardiovascular evaluation, eyes checks, free eye glasses, walkers, and open heart surgeries, was in partnership with Vincent Obiama Ohaju Memorial (VOOM) Foundation.
Mrs Chidimma Okoye, Executive Director, SEOF, told newsmen on Monday, that free open heart surgeries were successful carried out on 29 children while 15 adults received subsidised bills for their open heart surgeries.
According to Okoye, the medical outreach which had been ongoing since September, had 82 foreign medical volunteers who performed surgeries and treated other ailments.
“Free open heart surgeries were carried out successfully on 29 children while over 15 adults received subsidised bills for the open heart surgeries performed on them.
“Some adults who could not pay the subsidised bills were operated on free of charge by these international medical volunteers.
“The foundation also partnered Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor, in terms of manpower to address many people with eye defects.
“With the conclusion of this medical mission, a total of 120 open heart surgeries have been successfully carried out at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, Oraifite,” she said.
Also speaking, Ms Shawn Andaya-Pulliam, Executive Director, VOOM Foundation, USA, said they were dedicated to improving the current state of healthcare in the country and provide essential services to those in need.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ukamaka Onuigbo, who could not hide her happiness commended the foundation for the kind gesture and called other organisations to help the needy in the society.