The recently concluded 12-day free comprehensive medical and surgical outreach, sponsored by Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, has made a lasting impact and transformed lives across the Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency.
The outreach, held across multiple locations including the Cottage Hospital in Upenekang (Ibeno), the Cottage Hospital in Ekpene Obo (Esit Eket), the General Hospital in Awa (ONNA), and culminating at Immanuel General Hospital in Eket, provided life-saving treatments and consultations to thousands of people within and outside the federal constituency.
Complementing Governor Umo Eno’s policy thrust on healthcare and the United Nation’s Universal Healthcare for Akwa Ibom through the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Hon. Etteh said he has made quality healthcare services available for vulnerable members of the area at a cost-free
While reiterating his commitment to improving the well-being of his constituents in line with his ongoing efforts to provide accessible healthcare and uplift the lives of his people, the federal lawmaker thanked residents of Akwa Ibom State for leveraging on the opportunity offered by the outreach.
To further his show of compassion and to ensure continued access to healthcare for the less privileged long after the outreach has ended, Hon. Etteh, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on University Education and the representative of Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has made money available for the immediate enrollment of 800 vulnerable constituents (200 from each LGA) into the State Health Insurance Scheme through AKSHIA.
AKSHIA is a state health insurance scheme whose premium payment is at N18,000, the amount guarantees universal coverage for the vulnerable and the informal sector group.
A total of 8,720 people benefited from the outreach, which saw a stellar team of medical professionals performing 803 surgeries, including high-risk procedures such as Caesarean sections, myomectomies (fibroid removal), eye surgeries, exploratory laparotomies, treatment for perforated peptic ulcers, and ruptured appendices.
In addition to surgeries, a whopping 3,691 people were consulted for various visual impairments, with 2,989 prescription lenses dispensed to improve their vision, conducted 8,839laboratory tests, offering comprehensive diagnostics and treatments for numerous health conditions.
The medical outreach served as a beacon of hope for many, especially the most vulnerable residents, some of whom would otherwise have limited access to quality healthcare. At the Upenekang Cottage Hospital, 2,358 cases were consulted and treated, 175 surgeries carried out, 1,859 laboratory investigations were conducted, 736 persons were consulted for visual problems and 631 lenses were dispensed.
At the Ekpene Obo Cottage Hospital, 1,746 cases were consulted and treated, 154 surgeries carried out, 2,456 laboratory investigations were conducted, 783 persons were consulted for visual problems and 657 lenses were dispensed. The outreach at the Awa General Hospital recorded 184 surgeries, consulted and treated 2,072 cases, conducted 2,473 laboratory investigations, consulted 812 persons for visual problems and dispensed 693 lenses.
At the Immanuel General, the outreach also recorded 290 surgeries, consulted and treated 2,544 cases, conducted 2,051 laboratory investigations, consulted 1,360 persons for visual problems and dispensed 1,008 lenses.
The mop-up surgeries conducted on Saturday, few days after the end of the outreach, at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, ensured that even those who couldn’t be attended to earlier had their conditions treated.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Akaninyene Akpan, said “Hon. Etteh’s medical outreach has not only alleviated immediate medical concerns for thousands but has also built a foundation for improved healthcare access in the long term. The success of this outreach exemplifies what people-centered governance looks like and strengthens Hon. Etteh’s reputation as a representative who is deeply committed to the welfare of his constituents.”
Also speaking, a community leader in Esit Eket during the flag-off, Chief Eyo Etteudo, said the outreach’s legacy will continue to echo in the lives of those who received treatment, and the broader community whose health and well-being have been uplifted through this life-changing initiative.
Media Unit
Office of the Honourable Member
Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency
