No fewer than 873 mostly rural poor have been diagnosed and treated of various ailments across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State in a scheme sponsored by the acting first lady, Mrs Helen Eno Obareki, under her late mother, Patience Umo Eno’s pet project – Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
The beneficiaries with diverse health conditions were treated according to their Senatorial Districts of Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket, received free medical care courtesy of the Wheels of Hope, a health programme under the Fight Against Communicable Diseases Thematic Area of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
The three-day exercise ended at the council hall of Etim Ekpo local government area for the beneficiaries from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District with 21 beneficiaries from each of the 10 local government areas of the zone.
Speaking at the event, the coordinator, office of Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, explained that the Wheels of Hope (Wheel of Hope Initiative (WHI), “is an initiative setup to take healthcare service to dwellers in remote areas of the state thereby cutting the cost of seeking medical service from far distances.”
Represented by the immediate past chairperson of Nsit Atai Local Government Transition Committee, Rt. Hon. Emem Ibanga, Lady Obareki applauded stakeholders, partners and volunteers for their contributions to the success of the first phase of the programme.
The special assistant to the governor on General Duties, Anne Abraham, emphasised that the health of the people remains a top priority, hence the provision of free medical interventions.
Also, the chairman of Etim Ekpo LGA, Mr Gideon Uwah, commended the Umo Eno-led administration for prioritising fundamental needs and identifying vulnerable groups as beneficiaries.
Mr Uwah noted that the health outreach was happening at the right time to address the pressing health challenges of locals who lack access to affordable healthcare, pledging to collaborate with GIFA on its programmes and similar projects aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of citizens.
In their separate goodwill messages, wife of the chairman of Ika local government council, Mrs Idongesit Utibe Nwoko; former transition chairman of Etim Ekpo local government council, Hon. Ekpuk Eshiet, and wife of the paramount ruler of Etim Ekpo local government, Her Royal Majesty Gloria Amanam Udo, commended the first lady designate for bringing the GIFA Wheels of Hope to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
