HIMM Wraps Up Free Medical Treatment In Imo
…….Lauds Owerri Progressive Union, USA For Support
By: Tochi Onyeubi
The Horizon International Medical Mission, HIMM, a foreign based mission in the United States of America, which offers free medical services, has rounded off her four days outreach in Imo, appreciating the support of Owerri Progressive Union, USA.
The free medical treatment which started on the 22nd April, ended on the 25th, with visits to Ihiagwa, Ihitta Ogada, Naze, Obinze consecutively, having massive turnout in these communities.
Speaking in an interview with the President and Founder of the mission, Dr. Kennedy Kelechi Okere, he informed that, Horizon International Medical Mission came into existence 19years ago. He added that, the body has not only been sustainable, having seen over 20,000 patients in Imo but has improved on their activities.
The Ihiagwa born US trained medical doctor who traced some of their activities to include free medical care to victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and other free medical services to rural areas in Mac Rae Georgia, USA, bemoaned some of the challenges faced by the medical mission to include, recruiting people to work with and the nonchalant attitude of the state government in Imo to show support.
Dr. Okere who said he was impressed by the massive support of the Owerri Progressive Union, USA encouraged them to expand, by putting more efforts, money and personnel to help revitalise and rehabilitate rural health care in Imo.
He advised the state government to take rural health care as a serious development sector to enable the tertiary institutions work better.
“I encourage the government to look at Rural health in our development as an important aspect of our healthcare. The government of Nigeria especially Imo state, cannot sponsor Tertiary healthcare institution where you have the CT Scan, MRI and high level cardiologists”.
“What they can do is prevent people from going to these place and the only way they can achieve that, is to improve Primary Health Care, where people with Diabetics, Hypertension can have a place to go, before they develop stroke or serious ailments and you can’t easily manage that”, he said.
Speaking also, Senior Pastor of the Sycamore Church of Georgia USA and Director of the Sycamore Network, an oversea mission, Rev. Dr. Micheal Delmar Reynolds who came with the team, said the vision of HIMM is not only to help treat physical illnesses but spiritual too, through evangelism and counselling.
Rev. Reynolds who has been with the mission for some years, said he was amazed by the high level of hospitality exhibited by Imolites and called on Christians to not only seek God’s kingdom, but love their neighbours.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke with Trumpeta, Diamond Mother Anna Anokam, in her late 80s from Ihiagwa, who came for treatment of Arthritis, eye issues and severe waist pain, was full of praises over the treatment she received.
She prayed for God’s blessings on Dr. Okere for always taking care of the aged.
As a wrap up today, the team will be visiting the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, to donate health equipments and medicines as well as a visit to the Primary healthcare facility in Ihitta Ogada to donate medicines.
