Hope rises for Nigerians as hospital rolls out free open-heart surgery in Anambra
By Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
A newly established hospital in Anambra State, Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, has given hope to Nigerians suffering from heart-related ailments as it rolled out programmes for life-changing and life-saving medical interventions.
This is coming at a time when the people are gasping for breath over the excruciating cost of obtaining high-profile medical surgeries and treatments abroad.
The hospital, built by Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation is located at Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the management, the hospital will offer free open-heart surgery and treatments to people with heart-related ailments.
The event, Ikengaonline reports, is part of preparations for the official unveiling of Nigerian’s world class cardiology facility on May 12, in Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA.
The hospital management confirmed that the intervention surgeries at the facilities would be carried out in collaboration with specialist Doctors from VOOM foundation, a humanitarian health organization based in the United States of America, USA.
Briefing newsmen at the facility known as Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, Oraifite, the Hospital Manager, Dr. Aghomishe Ogaga, said no fewer than 20 patients across the country would be beneficiaries of the health intervention programme.
According to him: “No fewer than 20 patients have been programmed for the free medical surgery or follow-ups for conservative management as the case may be upon laboratory examination of the cases associated with the heart.”
He stated that the free medical services would span from May 2, to May 14, 2022, upon the arrival of VOOM medical experts.
He said surgeries and treatments would be administered to all that had registered within the period provided for the registration and treatment.
Dr. Ogaga said the multimillion Dollar investment specialize in critical care management and automated surgery procedures.
He also disclosed that the facility had employed highly skilled medical experts in cardiology, Nephrology, and critical care from all over the world.
A tour of the cardiology facility of the hospital revealed high profiled cardiology equipment including Digital Cath Lab, High Definition 128 Slides CT scan, Digital X-ray systems, Direct on Bed Oxygen Delivery and four Automated Ventilators.
Others are: oxygen manufacturing plant, ICU Units, state of the art theatres with most modern equipment to cater for all types of surgeries from minor to major surgeries, as well as all systems obtainable overseas.
Describing the facility as the medical hope of Southeast, the foundation’s Community Mobilization Manager, Mr Oselloka Offoh, said the facility is a multi-million naira investment in advanced medical facility with specialties in critical care management.
“We are giving the best of attention to the people of the country and people will be coming to Nigeria for medical attention in the history of Nigeria and Africa.”
Mr. Offoh further disclosed that the Foundation was built by renowned philanthropist, Dr. Sir Emeka Okwuosa in memory of rights activist, and fearless promoter of women and children’s rights, Dame Irene Okwuosa, his mother.
He said the Foundation had carried out many other social interventions including the periodic distribution of drugs to health centres, road constructions and rehabilitations, as well as scholarship to indigent students in Anambra state and beyond.
