Abia Government Announces Start Of Patients Screening For Surgery Ahead Of ANPA Medical Mission

Patients are being screened for surgery in 65 centres across Abia State in preparation for the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas’ (ANPA) free medical mission.

According to a statement signed by Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, and Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-kalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, “the screening begins on Monday, February 19 and ends Friday, March 22nd.”

“It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at no cost to patients,” the statement added.

According to the statement, a team of 70 medics from North and South America will perform approximately 100-200 surgeries in the state during the 10-day outreach.

It stated that the mission aimed to provide services to 5000 patients, “plus preventative screenings, skills transfer and capacity building workshops/education.”

In December 2023, ANPA selected Abia State for the 2024 edition of her annual medical outreach, which will take place from April 4 to 14.

The outreach will take place concurrently at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia Diagnostic Centre Umuahia, and General Hospital Amachara.

“Screening of patients with serious health conditions that require surgery has begun at designated centres across the state for easy access to all residents,” according to the statement.

It also stated, “The screening will end on Friday, March 22, 2024. The laboratory tests for patients scheduled for surgery will begin on March 18 and end on March 22, 2024.

“Likewise, blood donation begins on March 18th and continues throughout the medical mission.”

According to the statement, the 65 screening centres are: Aba North LGA – Eziama Primary Health Centre (PHC), Umuola Egbulu PHC, and Osusu PHC; Aba South LGA – General Hospital Aba, College of Health Aba, Aba Town Hall, and Amaufuru WPHC.

Others are: Arochukwu LGA- Arochukwu General Hospital, Amuvi PHC, Ozu Abam PHC, Aduanu Ihe PHC, and Ndi Oji Abam PHC; Bende LGA- Bende Maternity WPHC, Uzuakoli PHC, Igbere PHC, and Ndiwo WPHC; and Ikwuano LGA- Ikwuano General Hospital, Awom Ukwu PHC, and Umudike PHC.

The statement also named Amuosu PHC, Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital, Avo Ntigha PHC, and Akpu na Ekpu PHC as centres for Isiala Ngwa North LGA, as well as Ugba PHC, Eketa PHC, Osokwa Model PHC, and Omoba PHC for Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

Others include Isuikwuato LGA, which has Isuikwuato General Hospital, Mgbelu Umunekwu PHC, and Ukwunwangwu Uturu PHC; Obingwa LGA, which has Mgboko Amairi PHC, Itukpa PHC, Ehere PHC, and Akumaimo PHC; and Ohafia LGA, which has Ohafia General Hospital, Cottage Hospital Nkporo, General Hospital Abiriba, and Ohafor PHC.

Osisioma LGA’s designated centres include Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Osisioma Cottage Hospital, Ekearo PHC, and Abayi Ogbulegba PHC, whereas Ugwunagbo LGA’s designated centres include Asa Umunka PHC, Aza PHC, Ngwaiyiekwe PHC, and Obegu PHC.

Other facilities include Akwuette PHC, Azumini PHC, Ohanku PHC, and Ohambele PHC in Ukwa East LGA; Okeikpe General Hospital, Cottage Hospital Owaza, Obehie PHC, and Ogwe PHC in Ukwa West LGA; and Infant Welfare Clinic (IWC) Ojike Street, Nkwoegwu PHC, Umuda Isingwu PHC, and Abia Specialist Hospital across from FMC Umuahia in Umuahia North LGA.

The centres in Umuahia South LGA are Amachara General Hospital, Ubakala PHC, Old Umuahia PHC, and Ahiaukwu PHC, while in Umunneochi LGA they are General Hospital Isuochi, Umuchieze PHC, and Eziama Agbo.

The statement encouraged Abia residents who had serious ailments that required surgery to visit any of the screening centres nearby for a free medical examination.

It also asked for volunteers to help build a sufficient blood bank for the surgeries, urging any willing donor to visit the centres for screening beginning March 18.

According to the statement, the medical outreach is being carried out in collaboration with the Abia State Government and some non-governmental organisations such as Rotary International District 9142, ASNA, NeoPed, DAGOMO, and IRRE.