The Edo State Government has promised residents of the State life-changing care as the medical mission by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) in collaboration with the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration kicks off.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Adaze Emwanta, gave the assurance in Benin City, on Thursday, while speaking on the successful completion of the registration of participants with various health conditions.
Emwanta said: “After a successful registration exercise, we are happy to announce that all is set for phase 2 of the life-changing experience that will see many of our people who have been battling with all kinds of health conditions getting world-class treatment free of charge.”
He added: “We call on Edo people and residents who are ill and have been looking for money for surgical operations and treatments to take advantage of this rare opportunity.
“We have a team of experts coming from America and some doctors working in Edo State who are set for the mission. Anyone suffering any illness, whether they have been screened before or not, can come from Monday, April 25 to May 1st, 2022 for free treatment.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, listed the health institutions where the participating personnel in Edo State are drawn from as “the Edo Specialist Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Central Hospital, Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital and the Primary Health Care Centers.”
According to Prof. Akoria, the free medical mission “is a collaboration between the Government of Edo State and Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), championed by the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
“The scheduled date is April 22 – May 2 and the arrival of guests isfrom 22nd to 24th April, 2022. Opening formalities will be at one of the three PHCs (Ugbor) while departure is 2nd May, 2022.”
She explained that “The ANPA Medical Mission is an initiative of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas who want to give back to the country by way of providing free treatment including surgeries, skills transfer and advocacy with a view to strengthening the health systems nationally.
“Already, they have carried out similar projects in several States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.”
She added: “The ANPA team comprise of about sixty-five (65) health personnel including surgeons (Neuro, Plastic, Thoracic, ENT/Head and Neck, Endoscopic, Laparoscopic, General surgeon etc), Dental surgeons, Internal Medicine/Family Physicians including Cardiologists, Nephrologists, Endocrinologists etc), Pediatricians, neonatologists, Hematologist/ Oncologists, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Nurses, COVID team amongst others.”
She further said that the Edo State government has also assembled a team of over a hundred local health personnel including Neurosurgeon, Cardiothoracic surgeon, Orthopedic, ENT/Head and neck, Laparoscopic, Endoscopic, Maxillofacial, Dental, Plastic, Urologist, Pediatric and General surgeons as well as other specialists to support the programme.
