Economic Hardship: NGO Floats Free Medical Care For 500 Indigent Citizens
In what appears like a rescue mission, not less than 500 indigent members of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State are beneficiaries of VIFADAD Free Medical Outreach.
VIFADAD Medical Mission is Non-Governmental Organization founded by an Akwa Ibom Son, Sir Mark Efffiong (KoC), with a commitment to provide quality but free medical services to indigent and vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking at the Free Medical Outreach held at St. Mary Hospital, Urua Akpan, the Medical Director of the NGO, Dr. Cyril Okon, identified malaria, hernia, fibroid, Age-Related Macular Degeneration,
Cataracts as well as
Diabetic Retinopathy as major ailments treated during the Medical Outreach.
Dr. Okon said already about 10 persons have been booked to undergo various surgeries, ranging from hernia to appendicitis.
“We engaged the Services of Professional Medical Personnel and all our services are free. For those that have been booked for Surgeries, all expenses, including transportation, feeding and other medical bills will be paid by the Organisation, and I most say here that Sir Mark Efffiong (KoC) is truly out to bless humanity,” The Medical Director added.
Other management Staff of VIFADAD Medical Mission who spoke to Journalists, including the Administrator, Mrs Comfort Umoren and a Retired Nurse, Mrs. Beatrice Effiong, say for the past four years, VIFADAD Medical Mission has taken world class but free medical services to underprivileged persons within and outside Akwa Ibom State, promising Residents of Akwa Ibom State of a mega Medical Outreach tagged, “The Anatomy of VIFADAD,” coming up in few months time.
For the beneficiaries, the gesture is coming at a time that financial constraint is denying them access to healthcare services, and prayed that the Outreach will be a continuous one in the Local Government Area.
73 years old Patrick Johnson and 62 year old Nse George were among the early callers at the St. Mary Hospital, Urua Akpan, venue of the Outreach.
They were excited that VIFADAD Medical Mission has taken off them the burden of medical bills that would have cost them thousands of naira.
Apart from providing free Medical Services to the poorest of the poor in Nigeria, VIFADAD Medical Mission has been involved in Cancer screening as well as medical awareness among Secondary Schools Students in Akwa Ibom State.
