By Emeka Chiaghanam
A Nigerian doctor based in the United States, Dr. Tochukwu
Agbata Uyanwune, has spoken passionately about the need to fight chronic
illnesses in communities, as free medical outreach continues to
support residents in Awka, Anambra State.
Dr. Uyanwune, the lead physician for the Awka Union
USA/Canada Medical Mission, said the initiative was created to help people
battling conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, many of whom
struggle to access regular treatment.
Speaking during the outreach programme, Dr. Uyanwune
explained that the mission began in 2017 and has continued to grow through the
efforts of medical professionals from the Awka community living in the United
States and Canada.
She revealed that her late father played a major role in the project
from the beginning and was once in charge of the local organising committee
before his death two years ago.
In honour of her father’s memory, the family established the
Professor Anthony Ikechukwu Agbata Health Foundation, which now helps to run regular
medical support services for residents.
The outreach takes place at Udora Memorial Hospital in Ezi
Umuonaga Village, Awka, on the last Saturday of every month between 9am and
5pm.
According to Dr. Uyanwune, doctors, nurses and pharmacists
are always present to attend to patients, provide medical advice and educate
people on how to manage long-term illnesses.
She encouraged residents to take advantage of the programme
and continue their treatment even after the visiting medical team leaves
Nigeria.
“We want people to keep caring for their health until we
return again,” she said.
Dr. Uyanwune described the Awka Union USA/Canada Medical Mission as a personal commitment
to giving back to the community where she grew up before leaving Nigeria as a
teenager.
She said one of the major reasons she became deeply involved
in the medical mission was the painful reality of losing many people to
illnesses that could have been managed with proper care.
“Many young people are dying from diabetes, hypertension and
stroke because they are not getting treatment early enough,” she said.
She added that the outreach may seem small, but it is already
making a difference in people’s lives.
“This is our own little way of helping people live healthier
lives,” she said. “It is our widow’s mite to support the community.”
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