Yuletide: Foundation Offers Free Medicare, Food To Indigent Akwa Ibom Residents

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Richard/Emem Inyang Foundation, has offered free medical care to more than 1,000 vulnerable persons in some communities in Ibiono Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

The medical outreach held at the Palmer Memorial Hospital in Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA, was part of the foundation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Additionally, the foundation extended its humanitarian gesture to Ikot Ikpang, a community in Ibiaku Itam 2, in the adjoining Itu LGA, as part of its philanthropic efforts during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The president of the foundation, Richard Inyang, a missionary and Church minister, said the two community-based events were his own way of appreciating God for preserving his life after a ghastly accident, and to also give back to society.

“What we are doing is a way of appreciating God for saving my life. The accident I had was widely reported in the media everywhere. I had third-degree burns and multiple surgeries.

“Nobody believed I was going to survive, but God saved my life for a purpose, being a missionary and minister of God. One of the best ways to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ is to reach out in practical terms to the needy, the vulnerable, and those who cannot afford it, and lift their burdens while putting smiles on their faces.

“This programme is running for three to four days and with free medical outreach, free distribution of food, toiletries and clothing, and then preaching the gospel and drawing souls to Christ,” he explained.

According to him, the Foundation runs on a three – pronged basis, including the Richfield School of Excellence, providing affordable and qualitative education, Solace Orphanage International, a welfare organisation, providing complete medical, educational and care services for motherless children, and the Richard Inyang Foundation, a non funded, non profit organisation providing educational and medical support to indigent students in secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“What you have seen us doing is purely self-funded. We are not receiving funding from the government, not from anywhere,” he stated.

He expressed delight in the number of people who turned out to take advantage of the free medical outreach and commended the medical team led by Dr Inyang George, “for doing an excellent job, leaving your comfort zones to come to this community to render services almost free of charge.”

The medical outreach featured free eye consultations, health education sessions, eye screenings, and the distribution of reading glasses, as well as screening and treatment for various ailments.

There were also screenings and treatments for hypertension, diabetes, and other common medical conditions, as well as health awareness campaigns for the beneficiaries.

Speaking at the forum, the Coordinator of the free medical outreach said that the Foundation has, over the years, been committed to sponsoring life-changing activities that enhance the welfare and well-being of people in communities across the State.

Inyang, a member of the Foundation, commended the President for expending so much of his personal resources to meet the needs of others, noting that the Foundation’s outreach and other activities have positively affected many lives.

“As a medical doctor, and as one who has been part of the activities from the beginning, I can tell you that good health is not cheap, and for the President to devote so much of his personal money to provide free and quality healthcare and education to people is commendable and highly appreciated.

“It’s not that he’s expecting anything from them; he is not a politician, and he is not even contemplating any election for you to say he is doing because of the election. It’s purely humanitarian and for the sake of the gospel.

“He disclosed that more than 1,500 patients with various medical conditions were attended to by his team and that consultations and referrals were also made.

“We have attended to so many patients, and more are still coming. According to the records, more than 1,500 patients have received free treatment, medication, tests, and reading glasses. It’s a great responsibility for me to be part of this initiative, and I appreciate the efforts of the other team members. We are a team of 10 medical personnel who have demonstrated commitment and professionalism.

“Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Ikot Ikpang Itam community, Chief Itaobong Sampson, expressed appreciation to Mr Richard Inyang for his generous and philanthropic gesture to his community.