By ohanele casca, 08134192508
In recent times, there have been free medical treatments sponsored by Non Governmental Organisations, business moguls, governments and politicians as part of giving back to the society what God has given to them. For corporate orgnisations, such gesture is seen as part of their social responsibilities to their host communities.
However, as rampant as such free medical programmes for Imo citizens have become and the hullabaloo that have followed it, many citizens hardly patronize such activities anymore due to some negative reports that some of such programmes especially by the government in the state have been associated with some sinister manipulations . Since the sale of Imo Hospitals by the present administration and the news that have been making the rounds that Imo present government have had some arrangement with some foreign partners on some medical transactions which majority suspect are inimical to the welfare of Imolites, anything free is thoroughly scrutinized by the public. To make matter worst, the abortion bill that was signed by the government before they were boxed to make a retreat created more fears and suspicion on the Imo state government intentions and plans against Imo people and their health.
All these situations coupled with the deceit associated with such programme held by some politicians in the past, have made the people of Imo to receive anything free medical with a pinch of salt and total skepticism.
This scenario is what brings to the front burner the recent free Eye treatment for Imolites and other Nigerians living in and around the state sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha in conjunction with Federal Medical Centre Owerri.
It was a big event at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri on Tuesday 5th November 2013 as thousands of people trouped in to partake in the free Eye Medical treatment sponsored by Hon Ihedioha. The programme which is in line with the Deputy Speaker’s desire to ensure that the health of Imolites are given the priority it deserves at all times was unique in many ways.
The turn out of people were awesome, the enthusiasm and faith of the people on the event were massive. The organization and execution was a master piece expected from the team of an articulate leader.
At a time when Imolites are skeptical about government programmes, the turnout at Ihedioha sponsored eye treatment is a vote of confidence on the sponsor as a man they can trust at all times to deliver whatever he promises. It was a show of solidarity on a man people believe can bring in the best experts without compromising standards. People with different degrees of eye problem came with full confidence and assurance that their eye challenges will be solved. And true to expectations, the team of experts was equal to the task. Some of the patients from all parts of the state noted that they have heard of free eye treatment in the past but did not attend noting that when they heard that Rt Hon Ihedioha was behind the programme, they felt relaxed to attend because he is meticulous, he is reliable and do not discriminate irrespective of party, tribe or religion. Some emphasized that a man who has promised and fulfilled his promises will surely give the best eye treatment to Imolites. That indeed was the mind of the teaming crowd that attended the eye clinic which was done without much noise.
According to the PRO of the Federal Medical Centre, the hospital was indeed besieged by Imolites who were in need of attention for their eyes. From eye witnesses, the beneficiaries of the free treatment who received eye, glasses, different treatment and more than 20 patients that will undergo surgery, the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Ihedioha’s intervention came at the right time.
It means that as we enter the Christmas season, Imolites will celebrate the yuletide with clear vision. The gesture is a sure way to help reduce road accidents, during the season as some road mishaps are as a result of poor vision. The clinic will reduce the rate people are going blind because it was a proactive way of preventing the worst situation.
Infact the free Eye treatment is symbolic as it is geared towards making Imolites see.
As Imolites savour the relief of the eye treatment, as beneficiaries appreciate Rt Hon Ihedioha’s kind gesture, as observers continue to commend the project coordinator S.I Solomon and the team of experts nurses, doctors especially the MD of FMC Dr Mrs Uwakwem and Ihedioha’s team for a job well done, it is time for Imo people to shine their eyes and see that Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha is not a man who is far from the people. Imolites must have a clear vision to know that the vision of Hon Ihedioha is a robust economy for Imo State where the people are and will continue to be the centre of all programmes that will be tailored to wards bringing physical development in Orlu zone, Okigwe zone and Owerri zone. Imolites must have good vision to know that the youth empowerment programme across the state last time by Rt Hon Ihedioha is just a tip of the iceberg. Imo people should be objective in assessing a man who has attracted giant projects into Imo state aimed at alleviating the sufferings of Imo people. Not only that Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha is the No 6 citizen of Nigeria, he has a lot of respect for all leaders past and present in Imo State. He believes that the efforts of our heroes past shall not be rubbished for vengeance in the name of playing politics. The Deputy Speaker, Nwa Imo Ji eme onu, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, love Imo with passion and given the mandate will give our health and social welfare a boost. If I may digress to acknowledge another show of solidarity for Rt Hon Ihedioha, the decamping of APC members into PDP to herald the triumphant entry of Ihedioha into Njaba readily comes to mind. At Njaba recently about 5000 hard men and women from All People Congress returned back to the PDP which they believe hold prospect for Imolites.
That they choose to be welcomed by the Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Ihedioha shows their confidence and support for his vision and aspirations. Orlu people and their leaders showed uncommon love for the Mbaise born politician who has grow beyond sectional politics. The rare qualities in Ihedioha have not gone unnoticed by the presidency. Unknown to many uninformed people, President Goodluck Jonathan has a lot of confidence on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who has lend his support to the Transformational Agenda of Mr President; the national conference proposed by President Jonathan and has been a strong supporter of the president at the green chamber. The bond between Mr President and the Deputy Speaker will be a topic for another day.
I conclude this little assessment of the free Eye treatment for Imolitess sponsored by Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha who his people have confirmed as a talk and do leader with the title Omenke Ahura-Anya. One of the few prophets who has great honour in his home, with what two beneficiaries of the free Eye Clinic said. “Thank you our leader, for your thoughtfulness, your kind gesture, transparency in governance, selflessness, wide reach out without boarders, we Imolites will massively give you our support and solidarity because you have shown us Imo people love. The eye treatment has been taken yo Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones to ensure that it gets to the grassroots.
