*over 25 surgical operations done, 750 eye glasses distributed
…it’s my pact with God for my people -Council Chairman
By Ime Silas
The Chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Hon Uko Umoh has described the success recorded during the three days free medical outreach in the area as a dream come true, hinting that it was part of the fulfilment of his pact with God concerning his people.
Hon. Uko who stated this in a chat with newsmen at the Council Secretariat on the sidelines of the free medical programme hinted further that more of such programmes would be brought for the benefit of the people of Etinan Local Government Area.
He said “I feel fulfilled to see the huge successes recorded in this programme. On one hand, I feel touched to see the number of people who were living with life-threatening illnesses for many years without adequate medical treatment. On the other hand, I thank God for the opportunity He has granted me to meet the health needs of my people.
I want to also thank my boss, His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno for taking the lead in the quest towards providing affordable healthcare for the people of the state. He is a great inspiration to us. I really appreciate the governor for availing me the opportunity to fulfill my pact with God for my people. I believe that more of programmes such as this would be brought under my administration for the benefit of Etinan people”.
The three-day free medical outreach held at the Council Secretariat, commenced on March 20, 2024.
As at the last count, over twenty-five surgical operations have been carried out while about 750 eye glasses have been distributed to the people, all free of charge in addition to other medical tests and general treatments.
Our correspondent who monitored the event quoted Head of the Medical Team, Dr. Cyril Essien as confirming that the Council had foot the bills for the medical outreach including surgical operations. Dr. Cyril put the cost of each of the surgical operation for ailment such as hernia at over one hundred thousand Naira.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach who spoke to our Correspondents, could not hide their excitements. While describing the Council Chairman as ‘God-sent’, they prayed God to bless him and the Medical Team.
According to Okon Asuquo Tommy: “I successfully had eye surgery here, courtesy of the Council Chairman. I thank God for our Chairman, Honourable Uko Umoh for the love he has for his people because since I was born, I have never seen a thing like this. This is my first time of witnessing this kind of thing here in Etinan.
I also thank God for the doctors and nurses for the excellent care they all have shown to us. None of us has been harassed or abused in the course of the treatment and no problem has been recorded. So, I pray God to reward them all.
“I want to specially pray to God to continue to grant our Chairman the enablement to bring more good things to Etinan in the next eight years. That is my wish for him. He needs to sustain more good works. Look at a place like this, who could ever think that it could be used for anything better?
This place was just an abandoned place but with him (Chairman) and what is in him, it has been turned to a place we come to relax and receive treatment. He has paid for all our medications and treatment logistics in the face of the current hardship in the land. God will certainly bless him and also bless all the doctors and nurses for their good works, Amen”.
Another beneficiary of free eye surgery, Mrs. Mfon James Udobong had this to say: “I want to thank the Chairman for the opportunity he has granted me to benefit from his government. Through the Chairman, I have now benefitted from the governor of Akwa Ibom State. So, I pray God to bless them.
May God bless them for my children because if this operation was to be done with money, where would my children have gotten the money. I also want to thank the doctors and nurses for their care and love. May God bless all of them”.
To be continued…