Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeEditorialOpinionHENSEK: WHEN ‘ROAD CONSTRUCTION’ IS HUMANIZED THROUGH MEDICARE

HENSEK: WHEN ‘ROAD CONSTRUCTION’ IS HUMANIZED THROUGH MEDICARE


By Darlington UDOBONG

The 7th edition of free medical and surgical outreach organized by Akwa Ibom indigenous construction giant, Hensek Integrated Services Limited, has come and gone but the memory lingers. It has also shown that greatness and beauty do not belong to the gods alone. This is the view when road construction and civil engineering services, the primary mission of Hensek, is humanized through medical care to the underserved in order to bridge the healthcare gap between the urban and rural places, between the rich and the poor in our society.

The memories are varied; but all are sweet, the most important being the joy, happiness, smiles and gratefulness for a new life of those touched. The experience got in Oruk Anam Local Government Area will ever remain indelible in the sands of time. It was a huge and unprecedented success. All thanks to Engr. Uwem Okoko and pretty wife, Eyakeno (Yakky). Little wonder a man is judge by the work of hands.

The 5-Day event which took place at the General Hospital, Ikot Okoro in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, was declared opened by the Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, who said the state government was committed to quality healthcare delivery. She thanked private organization for partnering with government to ensure good health for the citizens, mentioning Hensek Integrated Services Limited and its Managing Director, Engr. Uwem Okoko and wife, as being vessels in the hands of God for the good of the society.

Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the partner organization, led to the event by its State Chairman, Dr Nsikak Nyoyoko, handled most of the cases. The event saw a mammoth number of residents across the entire local government area benefitting from the outreach. A broad spectrum of services rendered to the people that thronged the venue include free surgery, free blood pressure check, blood sugar testing, drug dispensing, clinical breast and cervical cancer screening, Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA), prostrate evaluation, basic eye check, free glasses and prescription, dental check and tooth extraction, medical counselling and free physiotherapist consultancy. The outreach also recorded hundreds of successes in other surgeries ranging from Fibroid, Hernia, Vaginal Operation, Scan and Appendicitis.

Hensek Integrated Services Limited has been carrying out the free outreach yearly. According to the Managing Director, Engr. Okoko, it was the only way to assist the underprivileged, underserved and disadvantaged at the grassroots to have medical attention. The goals of the outreach, according to him, include bringing qualitative healthcare to the people as well as creating awareness on non-communicable diseases which can kill without showing signs or symptoms.

One of the medical personnel who attended to patients said they were amazed at the number of people that turned out and thanked Hensek Integrated Services Limited for putting the programme together. the doctor further said that they were able to run tests, performed surgical operations, gave counselling, administered medications and referred people to the right authorities where necessary.

In his words, “It is not about what we are doing. It is more about the willingness of the people to get treated. Here, we have not had issue that is really hard to contain with. This means that the people here know that health is wealth. That is why my thank you goes to Engr Uwem Okoko for lending this help. Those who help the poor have their rewards in Heaven. But I tell you, God will bless him, his wife, his household and his business here on earth for doing this.”

On the surgery, the doctor said several people were operated on for Fibroid and Appendicitis. he said the people were treated for malaria, typhoid and other common ailments. He also said several others had eye check ups and several medical check-ups.

An elated beneficiary and residents of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Ubong Eshiet, said Engr Okoko was “sent by God to bring the outreach to us here. If you know the lives he has saved through this outreach, you will be shocked. If I also tell how many people have come here from neighbouring local government areas like Ukanafun, you will be shocked. God will bless him. I ask him to continue coming here. He will be helping to save more lives.”

Another beneficiary, a trader, Mrs. Esther Inyang, said she had to stay away from the market to take part in the outreach, because “health is wealth.” She said she was treated for malaria and typhoid and given free drugs.

By the testimonies from the event, it is very satisfying to know that the Hensek Free Medical Outreach was well-targeted. Certainly, its aim was greatly achieved. It is imperative for government at all levels to support feats like the Hensek Free Medical Outreach and also up its commitment in ensuring the delivery of affordable health services to low income earners, especially in the grassroots in terms of awareness and provision.

For the Hensek service to humanity to thrive more, it is incumbent on the people, particularly the beneficiaries, to learn to take adequate care of their health to prevent diseases. This is best guaranteed through early detection and diagnosis. The beneficiaries should not wait to be sick to diagnose themselves or wait till when it is critical before they go to the hospital. Hensek has invested. The people must, as a mark of personal responsibility, invest in themselves and go for regular check up. If this is made a routine, it will ensure the control of an existing problem or forestall complications.

Inasmuch as the people of Akwa Ibom State will continue to laud Governor Udom Emmanuel for his budgetary proposal for the health sector, the State Government should invest properly in primary healthcare in order to close the huge gap in the sector. There should be constant training and support for all those who provide basic health care services to enable them attain the desired height in protecting the health of the people at the grassroots.

Udobong, a media practitioner and Public Relations consultant, writes from Uyo.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Jegede Olaniyi Isaac on TENSION: AKPABIO FINALLY GOES DOWN
Emmanuel Esio on ADVERTORIAL
Melville Archibong on IS ENOIDEM PART OF UDOM’S CABINET?
Inyene Anthony Archibong on QIT SHUTDOWN: NIGERIA TO LOSE N131.13BILLION
Grace Chidubem Ehimiaghe on Akparawa Ephraim Inyang: Honesty Personified
Bidiak Oduononwi on IWAUDOFIA GETS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Anietie Christopher on IWAUDOFIA GETS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Prince David Ebieme on IWAUDOFIA GETS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Obot James on PDP SHUNS PAUL EKPO