Umahi’s Federal varsities launch 2-months free medical care for indigent Nigerians

By Uchenna Okeh 

The David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), in collaboration with the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), has commenced a two-month free medical treatment programme for indigent patients across different age groups.

The healthcare outreach, which is open to residents of Ebonyi State and other parts of the country, is designed to provide access to quality medical care for people who may be unable to afford treatment at a standard healthcare facility.

The initiative is also expected to provide students of DUFUHS with opportunities for high-quality clinical training through direct interaction with patients and medical professionals at the teaching hospital.

The founder of both institutions and Minister of Works, David Umahi, has pledged to personally fund the first two weeks of the programme.

Umahi said the initiative was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, particularly its objective of improving the health and well being of Nigerians.

Flagging off the programme, the Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, Prof. Chihurumnanya Alo, described the initiative as part of the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host community and neighbouring areas.

Alo said the medical outreach would cover the treatment of several health conditions, including malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, hernia, skin and fungal infections, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis, among others.

He urged medical and non-medical staff of the hospital to commit their time, expertise and resources towards ensuring the success of the exercise.

“Today we are flagging off the free medical treatment organised by both institutions. It is a collaboration that has come to stay, aimed at providing quality training for students and quality care for patients,” he said.

According to him, the programme was designed to ensure that members of the communities served by the institutions, as well as people from beyond the immediate environment, have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of DUFUHS, Prof. Jesse Uneke, expressed excitement over the collaboration, describing it as a laudable initiative and an expression of the institutions’ social responsibility to the host community.

Uneke disclosed that staff of the university had collectively donated N10.5 million through the Health Endowment Fund to support the programme.

He appealed to well-meaning individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the initiative, while urging members of the public to disseminate information about the programme, particularly to people who cannot afford quality medical treatment.

“This exercise will open doors for those who have never stepped into a state-of-the-art hospital like this to come and enjoy quality healthcare,” he said.