Cleric advises Govt. to give priority to Community Medicine

A cleric, Rev. Casmir Ihegworo, says for Nigeria to have a breakthrough in health care delivery, government must give priority to community medicine.

Ihegworo, who is also the director West Africa Centre for Missions and chief executive officer of International Christian Community Hospital, Owerri, made the call during an interactive session with newsmen at the end of a one week medical outreach at Okwu Uratta for Obibi Uratta community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo state.

According to him, majority of Nigerians live in rural communities and for positive impact to be made, functional hospitals and clinics must be sited in communities where the people could easily access medical care.

“Nigeria is a community oriented nation and if we must have serious breakthrough in medical delivery, we must have functional clinics and hospitals in the communities,’’ he said.

The cleric said that there is a serious breakdown in the country’s medical service which requires collaborative support from corporate, religious and charity organizations to complement government efforts.

“Nigerians, especially those living in the rural areas, are in dire need of medical attention. As a church, we felt this medical outreach is our way of giving back to the community as well as presenting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ hence our mission requires attending both spiritual and physical needs of the people,” he said.

Ihegworo, who doubles as the chairman board of directors of International Christian Hospitals said more 3, 000 persons were attended to during the one week medical outreach in Obibi Uratta community by his church.

He stated that more than 2,000 patients received free pairs of medical eye glasses as well as drugs which according to him were sourced locally and abroad.

He also disclosed that the church has operated in the state over 32 years and had extended the medical outreach to 27 communities within and outside Imo state.

Ihegworo explained that consideration in performing the free medical mission is solely based on the request by a community with compelling health need.

President-General of Okwu Uratta community Mr. Val Okara, expressed gratitude to the leadership of West Africa Centre for Mission for their generosity to the people of his community.

Okara used the medium to appeal to the state government to address what he described as `litany of infrastructures deficits’ in Okwu Uratta community.

“It is very sad that Okwu Uratta is the host community to Imo State University among other public projects, yet no hospital, and tarred road connecting the community to Owerri Township.’’