Scores of residents of Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from a free medical outreach aimed at promoting early disease detection and improving access to preventive healthcare.
The outreach, currently underway at the General Hospital, Oraifite, is being conducted under the Anambra State Laboratory Optimization Project. It offers residents free laboratory tests for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, blood glucose, and other essential health indicators.
The programme is being implemented through a partnership involving the Anambra State Ministry of Health, Bloom Public Health, Sydani Group, Erba Mannheim, and Worldwide Ventures Ltd.
Speaking during the exercise, Mrs. Uzor Nneka of the State Hospital Management Board, who supervises the project on behalf of the Board, described the outreach as a critical intervention that enables residents to detect health conditions early before they become life-threatening.
She said the initiative had removed the financial burden associated with routine laboratory tests, thereby encouraging more people to know their health status and seek timely medical attention when necessary.
According to her, preventive healthcare remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing the burden of disease and improving the overall well-being of communities.
She commended the Anambra State Government and its development partners for sustaining the initiative and expanding access to quality healthcare services across the state.
Some beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the programme, describing the screening process as efficient and worthwhile.
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One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Blessing Ojemba, said the exercise was seamless and well organised, adding that the free service enabled her to assess her health without worrying about the cost.
She urged other residents to take advantage of the outreach, noting that regular medical screening is essential for maintaining good health.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Chianumba Ifenna, said he was delighted after learning that the results of his HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and blood glucose tests were all normal.
He praised the organisers for conducting the exercise professionally and encouraged members of the public to make routine health screening a priority.
Health officials at the facility reiterated that many diseases can be effectively treated when detected early and urged residents not to wait until they fall ill before undergoing medical examinations.
