Chinedum Treasure
Over 400 residents of Ndiokpalaeze community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from free medical services provided by Comareg Healthcare Foundation.
The medical services included check-ups, drugs, counselling and health talks, while cases like malaria, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension, cough and other common ailments were treated.
Speaking during the outreach held at the Ndiopkalaeze Civic Centre, Executive Director and Founder of Comareg Healthcare Foundation, Lady Princess Nwando Onyeagwalam said the intervention was aimed at bridging the healthcare gap for poor and vulnerable residents.
She described the exercise as family-oriented initiative created in loving memory of her parents, Late Sir Reginald Okoli and Lady Comfort Okoli—two extraordinary individuals whose lives were defined by selfless service to humanity.
She said her target was not just to carry forward the parents legacy of compassion, but to improve access to quality healthcare in the various communities by 2030.
She said, “This gathering holds a deeply special place in my heart. Our foundation was established out of a profound passion to advance healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
“Our vision is simple yet transformative: to ensure that local communities achieve and maintain optimal health, equipped with the capacity to care for themselves and uplift one another.
“We’re committed to closing the healthcare gap in underserved communities and ensuring that poverty does not determine who gets medical attention.
“We’re working to challenge systemic healthcare inequalities by taking essential services directly to the grassroots.
“Our target is clear. By the year 2030, we want to contribute immensely to improving access to quality healthcare in our communities.
“We will achieve this through regular outreaches, health education, early detection through screenings, and referrals for cases that require specialist care.
“The ultimate goal is to build healthier communities where residents have the knowledge and resources to take charge of their own wellbeing.”
The Foundation’s Head of Administration, Mr. Peter Ubakeze, said the programme covers health awareness and screening for blood pressure, sugar level, heart conditions and others.
“So far since 2019, we have held several programmes and have not for one day asked anybody to pay a dime for anything. The vision is to give maximum healthcare to everyone,” he said.
The Health Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs. Nsoke Gloria, said the team conducted laboratory tests for HIV, malaria, glucose and hepatitis, as well as chest X-rays and general consultations.
“Once we check their systems, we give them treatment or refer the patient to PHCs in the community depending on the medical condition.
“We have medication for malaria, typhoid, cough and routine drugs. Except the very severe ones which we cannot handle here. We also deliver health talks on maternal health, mental health, gender-based violence and anti-corruption,” he stated.
Speaking on gender-based violence, GBV Desk Officer in the State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Chioma Offor, urged residents to speak up and report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities.
According to her, gender-based violence affects both men and women, but minors and other vulnerable groups are often the worst hit.
Offor called on community leaders to desist from settling GBV cases at the community level and instead refer them to the police and other response agencies.
She also sensitised participants on available support services, including psychosocial care, and encouraged victims and witnesses to seek help early to ensure justice for survivors.
“GBV is a very sensitive issue. We expect community leaders to report cases to the police and direct them to appropriate authorities and response teams. Such cases should not be handled in isolation,” she said.
Executive Director of Creative Minds Centre for Youths and Community Development, Mrs. Ugochi Freeman spoke on the Sex Offenders Register and anti-corruption, urging residents to unite against child defilement and all forms of gender-based violence.
She noted that value reorientation must begin from the family and grassroots level.
Freeman educated participants on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Law and the services available under the state implementation committee, including psychosocial support, free legal and medical services at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Enugwu-Ukwu.
Underscoring the place of transparency and accountability in communities, she warned that corruption undermines development and denies the poor access to basic services.
President-General of Ndiokpalaeze Improvement Union, Barr Uchenna Obiora, described the health talk and medical outreach as timely and beneficial to indigenes of the community.
“This intervention is an act of benevolence by a daughter of the community. It is one of the many times she is bringing this kind of programme to the community. I urge her to sustain it because it is worth doing.
“GBV is a very serious issue because the victims cannot fight for themselves. Our community has zero tolerance for it and will not hesitate to use appropriate channels to ensure justice for any survivor,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mazi Okezie Umeh, said he was screened for malaria, diabetes, HIV and TB, and described the exercise as beneficial, with professional and satisfactory services.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Chioma Okoli, said her entire household benefited from the outreach and prayed for the continuation of the programme.
“May God continue to bless her for reaching out to those of us who cannot afford proper medical care. Due to cost, some of us have not gone for a medical checkup this year, but she has made it possible for us to access it free of charge,” she said.
The outreach attracted youths, women, the elderly and children from Ndiokpalaeze and neighbouring communities.
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