No fewer than 9,000 residents of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in Abia State have benefited from a three-day Free Medical and Surgical Outreach organised by the Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa Foundation, with 38 surgical procedures successfully carried out during the exercise.
The outreach, which took place from Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, July 16, 2026, was conducted simultaneously at six Primary Healthcare Centres approved by the Abia State Ministry of Health.
The centres included Ania Primary Healthcare Centre, Akanu Ohafia; Ugwu Ufie Primary Healthcare Centre, Elughu Nkporo; and Okagwe Agboji Primary Healthcare Centre, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area, as well as Ndioji Abam Primary Healthcare Centre, Amavi Primary Healthcare Centre, and Eleoha Primary Healthcare Centre, Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area.
Beneficiaries received a wide range of free healthcare services, including medical consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, malaria testing and treatment, laboratory investigations, medications for diagnosed ailments, and eye care services such as vision tests, cataract and glaucoma screening, and the distribution of reading glasses.
Participants also received health education on first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), hypertension, diabetes management, maternal health, and disease prevention.
The surgical component of the outreach was carried out at Ania PHC, Akanu Ohafia, and Ndioji Abam PHC, where a total of 38 procedures were successfully performed.
The surgeries included hernia repairs, lipoma and cyst excisions, abscess drainage, keloid excisions, lumpectomies, wound debridement, and other minor surgical interventions, all provided free of charge.
Reflecting on the outreach, the Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, described the exercise as deeply fulfilling, saying the number of beneficiaries represented lives impacted and hope restored.
“These figures are a testament to the lives touched, the hope restored, and the collective commitment to serving humanity with compassion and excellence. The testimonies emerging from this outreach will continue to inspire others who have the means to extend similar support to those in need,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed appreciation to the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, ophthalmologists, support staff, and volunteers from the Abia State Ministry of Health who participated in the exercise.
He also commended the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, and officials of the ministry for their support in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme.
According to the Foundation, the medical outreach continues a long-standing tradition of humanitarian service by Hon. Osonwa, dating back to similar healthcare interventions organised in Arochukwu and Ohafia in 2018 and 2019 through partnerships with non-governmental organisations.
The Foundation noted that the outreach aligns with the lawmaker’s broader healthcare agenda, which includes sponsorship of the Federal Medical Centre, Ohafia (Establishment) Bill, currently before the House of Representatives.
It also acknowledged the support of traditional rulers, religious organisations, women’s groups, youth associations, and community leaders across Arochukwu and Ohafia whose mobilisation contributed to the large turnout recorded at all six medical centres.
