By joshua Gov Nwifuru Flags Off Free Telescopic Surgery, Advocates Regular Medical Check-Up For Men
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has flagged off free prostrate screening and telescopic prostrate surgeries for men as part of efforts to improve health care delivery and reduce preventable deaths in the State.
The exercise held at Ezzamgbo general hospital in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, drew the presence of over 200 men from different parts of the State who benefitted from free medical screening.
Speaking at the event, the Governor represented by his Chief of Staff Professor Emmanuel Echiegu said the initiative was very significant as it was the first health programme specifically focused on men, saying that health care interventions had often concentrated more on women and children in the State.
The Governor who disclosed that patients diagnosed with severe conditions would received free treatment and surgery, noted that the programme was in line with the health agenda of his administration.
He added that his administration has prioritized health care service delivery through the recruitment of qualified medical doctors, provision of sophisticated equipments, expansion of health insurance coverage and establishment of virology centre among others to ensure accessible health care to Ebonyi people.
However, the Governor directed the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area Sct. Paul Ituma to make provision of water and convenience at the hospital to better the lives of patients in the area and called for regular medical checkup and early diagnosis among men to curb the disease.
On his part, the commissioner for health in the State Dr. Moses Ekuma revealed that Governor Nwifuru’s administration has expanded health insurance coverage to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children of under five years, persons living with sickle cell disease, disables and elderly in the State.
The medical officer of Ezzamgbo general hospital, Dr. Ifeanyi Edeaja, disclosed that the facility had successfully performed eight telescopic prostate surgeries without casualty, mortality or morbidity.
According to him, the hospital, which previously recorded between 35 and 60 patients monthly, now attends to more than 500 patients monthly, while deliveries and other surgical procedures had also increased.
Edeaja explained that the telescopic prostate surgery, which could cost about N2 million, would be provided free to eligible beneficiaries. He added that medical tests, which could cost between N50,000 and N100,000, were also fully funded by the state government.
He called on men folk across the State from the age of forty years and above to take advantage of the programme in their own best interest.
In a good will message, the special assistant to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Sabinus Nwibo, urged men to abandon poor health-seeking habits and embrace regular medical check-ups, warning that prostate-related conditions could become life-threatening when ignored.
Also, the executive chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area Sct. Paul Ituma, appreciated Governor Nwifuru for equipping general hospitals and expanding health care services to the grassroots. Ituma said that the intervention has brought huge relief to the vulnerable individuals and thanked the State health commissioner Dr. Moses Ekuma for always responding to emergencies and vowed to root out quackeries in the council.
He noted that his administration would build a diagnostic centre and blood pant with scan machines at maternity hospital Ngbo court to render free health services for women, children and aged ones in order to reduce mortality and morbidity rate, assuring that It would be ready within 100 days in office.
The council boss described the exercise as a landmark programme demonstrating the governor’s commitment to taking healthcare to the grassroots and urged men in the State to take their health seriously as health is greater than wealth while promising to make provision of water and convenience in the hospital.
The vice chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health sciences, Uburu, Professor Jesse Uneke lauded Governor Nwifuru for the initiative, describing it as a welcome development.
Uneke raised concerns that men’s health had been neglected in the society contrary to the women folks. He observed that men’s health should be prioritized as they have many burdens compare to women, including family, economic and pressure from different areas.
He urged men in the society to embrace culture of early diagnosis to save their lives.
According to Uneke, 25 percent of men in Nigeria have prostate related problems especially prostate enlargement, noting that 227 out of 1,000 men are suffering from prostate related issues.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, John Ogbonna, who said he had battled a prostate condition since 2013, expressed gratitude to the governor for the free intervention.
He described Nwifuru as “the best governor,” saying the intervention had given him an opportunity to overcome a condition that had severely affected his ability to urinate.