Joel Ajayi

The Medical Director, and Co-Chair of the Medical/Surgical Mission committee of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Socio/Cultural Organization in the United States of America and Canada, Ogu Emejuru, MD, MPH, FAAP has expressed satisfaction with stakeholders and those who partnered with the organization to ensure a successful medical outreach last week, in Emohua local government headquarters in Rivers State

Dr. Emejuru, a native of Elele town in Rivers, said the five-day medical mission could not have been successful without the full support and commitment of stakeholders in the area and other medical professionals.

In a telephone interview with newsmen over the weekend, Dr.Emejuru who coordinated the medical practitioners that administered various degrees of treatments to the patients said, it was one of the most successful medical missions he has ever been privileged to participate in. The year medical mission was in Emuoha. “Our medical volunteers made us proud indeed. There was never any doubt at all we could pull it off given the hiccups we had initially. if we joined hands.

We appreciate our host Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area for allowing us to use the Council Secretariat for this exercise and providing enormous and comprehensive logistical support.

He thanked the past President and project leader Eric Welle who originated the OIUSA mission idea and provided him the opportunity to serve in the planning. He also thanked the current OIUSA/Canada President, Patrick Anyawoke, the administrator of the OIUSA Health Committee Dr. Jo Court, the able Co-Chair of the Medical Mission Committee, the indefatigable Ngozi Welle, the Secretary of the Committee, Uche Orji, Dr. Timothy Chima who provided the bulk of our free drugs, Chika Wosu, the logistics head, Peace Owhor Ogunleye, our great media guru, Amaka Owhor, our able OIUSA liaison and champion on the ground, Cynthia Anele, the Nursing Coordinator of the Mission Committee, Janet Obunwo and Sarah Ndahbros for their great imputs, the Pharmacy sector, the tireless Nneka Obi-Wali, Nchegam Orji, Joan Wopara all the local volunteers including the Matron at the Emuoha council health center and all those who contributed behind the scenes to make the programme a success.

He gave credit to Professor Ejimadu, the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at UPTH, and Dr. Onua, UPTH Ophthalmologist for leading in the Mission eye sector. Dr. Okah, the Mission Lead Surgeon from Rivers State University Hospital and Velcron Hospital, Dr.Emenike, the Mission Lead for dental services and Dr. Ike Nlerem, the medical champion on the ground. The breast and cervical cancer screening led by Dr. Maduka and championed by Ngozi Welle decked out in pink celebrated breast cancer awareness month. He applauded the media coverage by Dr. Lilian Okonkwo, the National Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and Director of Public Affairs, Rivers State Television (RSTV).

I feel honored and extremely privileged to have worked with a team of professionals in OIUSA. The Medical Mission was a resounding success and we are stronger for it”, Emejuru said.

While also giving a breakdown of the various treatments administered on patients at the programme, Emejuru disclosed that over five thousand patients were seen with a total of 718 children treated with malaria, typhoid, hypertension, hypertensive crisis, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, ulcer, and heart failure among others.

According to the breakdown, patients treated with malaria/typhoid were 3,824, hypertension 2,678, hypertensive crisis 45, diabetes 2,914, asthma 209, arthritis 1,067, ulcer 209, and 75 cases of heart failure.

The ophthalmology team recorded 1,246 patients with 492 eyeglasses provided, cataract surgery 37, and 13 excisions of pterygia.

A total number of dental procedures saw 59 patients with 7 extractions, 52 sealings, polishing, and presentation of toothbrushes

There were 47 cases of general surgery which included; inguinal and scrotal hermia repairs, excision of lipomas, excision of breast lumps, hydrolectomy, keloid excisions, facial deformity repairs, and one emergency C-section delivery were also handled.

In keeping with best practices for medical missions, follow-up post-operative surgical care is being provided for a few patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital’s ophthalmology department and Veckron Hospital, according to Dr. Emejuru

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