October 03, (THEWILL) – The lawmaker representing Eket/Onna/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, has pledged to complement Governor Umo Eno’s policy thrust on healthcare and the United Nation’s Universal Healthcare for the state through the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA).
According to him, he has made quality healthcare services available for vulnerable persons in his constituency, both indigenes and non-indigenes, at no cost.
The lawmaker stated this at the end of a two-week medical outreach where over 10,000 persons received medical treatment for different ailments, including surgical operations.
Etteh reiterated his commitment to improving the well-being of his constituents in line with his ongoing efforts to provide accessible healthcare and uplift the lives of his people and thanked residents of Akwa Ibom State for leveraging the opportunity offered by the outreach.
The outreach, which was held across multiple locations, including the Cottage Hospitals in Upenekang (Ibeno), Ekpene Obo (Esit Eket), General Hospital in Awa (ONNA), and Immanuel General Hospital in Eket provided life-saving treatments and consultations to thousands of people within and outside the federal constituency.
To further ensure continued access to healthcare for the less privileged even after the outreach, Hon. Etteh, who is the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on University Education, said money has been provided for the immediate enrollment of 800 vulnerable constituents (200 from each LGA) into the State Health Insurance Scheme through AKSHIA.
AKSHIA is a state health insurance scheme whose premium payment is N18,000 and guarantees universal coverage for the vulnerable and informal sector groups.
A total of 8,720 people benefited from the outreach, which saw a stellar team of medical professionals performing 803 surgeries, including high-risk procedures such as Caesarean sections, myomectomies (fibroid removal), eye surgeries, exploratory laparotomies, treatment for perforated peptic ulcers, and ruptured appendices.
In addition to the surgeries, 3,691 people were consulted for various visual impairments, with 2,989 prescription lenses dispensed to improve their vision. Also, 8,839 laboratory tests were conducted, offering comprehensive diagnostics and treatments for numerous health conditions.
“The medical outreach served as a beacon of hope for many, especially the most vulnerable residents of the Federal Constituency, some of whom would otherwise have limited access to quality healthcare.
“At the Upenekang Cottage Hospital, 2,358 cases were consulted and treated, 175 surgeries were carried out, 1,859 laboratory investigations were conducted, 736 persons were consulted for visual problems and 631 lenses were dispensed.
“At the Ekpene Obo Cottage Hospital, 1,746 cases were consulted and treated, 154 surgeries were carried out, 2,456 laboratory investigations were conducted, 783 persons were consulted for visual problems and 657 lenses were dispensed.
“The outreach at the Awa General Hospital recorded 184 surgeries, consulted and treated 2,072 cases, conducted 2,473 laboratory investigations, consulted 812 persons for visual problems and dispensed 693 lenses.
“At the Immanuel General, the outreach also recorded 290 surgeries, consulted and treated 2,544 cases, conducted 2,051 laboratory investigations, consulted 1,360 persons for visual problems and dispensed 1,008 lenses,” the statistics showed.
It showed that the mop-up surgeries conducted a few days after the end of the outreach at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, ensured that even those who couldn’t be attended to earlier had their conditions treated.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Akaninyene Akpan, said, “Hon. Etteh’s medical outreach has not only alleviated immediate medical concerns for thousands but has also built a foundation for improved healthcare access in the long term. The success of this outreach exemplifies what people-centred governance looks like and strengthens Hon. Etteh’s reputation as a representative who is deeply committed to the welfare of his constituents.”
Also speaking, a community leader in Esit Eket, Chief Eyo Etteudo, said the outreach’s legacy will continue to echo in the minds of those who received treatment, and the broader community whose health and well-being have been uplifted through the initiative.
