Obi hails Anambra hospital over 117 free heart surgeries

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi has described health as critical foundation of growth and development of any society.

Obi stated this during a visit to the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital Irefi Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He expressed satisfaction over humanitarian disposition and team spirit of the health personnel in the facility towards saving lives, especially free heart surgeries for hundreds of patients in the hospital.

Describing the world class medical facility as very impressive, Obi praised the benefactor, Sir Emeka Okwuosa for the initiative and benevolence, urging other spirited individuals and organizations to emulate the gesture.

He said, “I’m very impressed with what I saw today. I’ve said it severally, this kind of facility is what we need to replicate in other sectors by well meaning individuals.

“If we have the kind of doctors I saw here working as a team and saving lives, you can imagine what our country will look like.

“Health is a critical thing. I’ve always said it, health is the foundation of development. Once you have health and education, and you’re able to pull people out of poverty, you’re developing. That’s all is required.

“Here we are seeing those voluntarily caring for people, especially the poor and indigent. I really appreciate the man behind the success stories, Sir Emeka Okwusa for the great work and ask him to keep the flag flying.”

Earlier, Executive Director of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Chidimma Okoye said the hospital, since two years of inception had carried out 117 open hearts surgery for adults and pediatrics, at an estimated cost of $457,089,129

She said 47 of the free surgeries were children, while 70 subsidized were adults, carried out by over 83 health personnel.

She said, “The Foundation, in partnership with Vincent Ohaju Obioma Memorial (VOOM) Foundation 6th Biannual medical mission is involved in open heart surgery for pediatrics and adults.

“Aside our general OPD, we run missions twice a year, one in May and another in September/October or sometimes in October/November.

“During the mission, we center on cadiothoracic surgery with renowned surgeons. Here we have state-of-the-art equipment, including cath lab, which we pride in. This is the only hospital in this area that is well equipped.

“As at the last count, we’ve carried out 117 open hearts surgeries for adults and pediatrics, with 70 for the former and 47 for the later.

“For pediatrics, it’s totally free of charge while adults are done on subsidized cost. But even with the subsidy, only 5 patients could afford to pay.

“After assembling over 83 doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist, among others to the country for these tasks, if we don’t have people capable of funding the surgery, we’re left with no option than to throw our doors open.

“That’s why for the past few days, all the adults we handled their cases were operated free of charge. If the patients were to pay, we should be talking about over $457,089,129 from May 2022 to May 2024.”

Asked how the hospital was able to assemble such huge foreign medical workforce, the Executive Director said the health workers were driven by passion to giving back to the society.

“They voluntarily take out their vacation time to offer this free life changing surgery services, instead of choice of Hawaii or Dubai. Outside their local tickets, we take adequate care of their feeding, accommodation and security.

“It is worthy to note that this facility runs on 24hours diesel all through the 3weeks period of operations. We don’t want to run the risk of epileptic power supply that can lead to casualties,” she added.

On the criteria for patients’ admission, Okoye said admission was essentially on the nature of the surgery to be determined by the surgeons, devoid of favoritism and tribalism.

“Last October, we were flooded with 120 families across the country but the team on ground was only able to operate on 15.

“Even though most of the patients that visit here are indigent, we still screen them basically on how critical the case is. Besides, our surgeons determines the cases we handle. There’s absolutely no favoritism or tribalism.

“We handle patients from all parts of the country, as long as the child runs through evaluations and the surgeons certify the child. Meanwhile, we’re time bound because the surgeons have limited time they spend at the facility.

Expressing assurances of support from the visitor, and former governor of Anambra State, Okoye solicited collaboration of other donors to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Her words, “Today, we received His Excellency who was at the facility to see the equipment, the patients and what we’re doing. Each mission cost us N500million for logistics. Leaving it for one man alone will definitely be heavy burden on him. So we need partners.

“We’re also embarking on aggressive publicity through our social media handles, digital media and influencers to ensure more persons get to know about the facility.

“We had this last child in the ICU who was a miracle and we’re proud of that. I’m particularly thrilled that the surgeons didn’t lose hope in the process.

“The child is so happy. The father was here yesterday, shedding tears of joy. These are the things that make me happy, as well as gives me pleasure and courage to continue pushing on.

“I’m very fulfilled because saving lives has been my passion. This is my 17 years of experience. I travel to remote countries and states rendering these live-saving service