Varsity students embark free medical outreach in C’River
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Some undergraduates of the University of Calabar under the aegis of Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS) conducted a free medical outreach in Cross River State.
The free medical check which was initiated by the medical unit of the association, was held in Ukwa Eburutu, a remote community in the state.
The community is one of the hard to reach areas in the state and is not accessible to the state capital Calabar by road.
A journey to the area from Calabar will involve crossing two rivers on foot only during dry seasons.
In the alternative, access to the area which is indegenous to the people of Ito Edere Ukwa by road is through Arochukwu or Ohafia in Abia state.
Giving details of their outreach, the head of the medical unit and a laboratory student of UNICAL, Daniel Egong said, “More than 120 residents of the community benefited from the exercise. It was part of our evangelical cum medical outreach aimed at giving back to the society.
“Some of the tests carried out include; malaria test, HIV, Blood pressure etc. Free medicine was also given to individuals infected with malaria.”
He said they made referrals to specialist facilities, including Mother Elizabeth Medical Centre in Calabar.
Chairman of the ABAS in UNICAL, Success Augustine said they individually raised the funds from their little savings and augmented from the Association contributions.
“We did not mind that many of us are yet to complete our tuition fees but we believed that it was better to discharge the welfare part of our obligations to the society as doing so was doing it to God.
“We believe that our fees will be paid any how. We have been doing this, and we will not stop now.
“We felt relieved for conducting the medical check up for the elderly and less privileged village people.”
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Angelina Ekpenyong commended the students and prayed for divine blessings.
Bishop Crownson Ayara, a community leaders on his part commended the students for deciding to take the medical outreach to his people this year.
