A medical outreach program in the Federal Capital Territory has transformed the life of Justina Okere, a resident of Suleja, Niger State, who underwent a life-changing surgery to remove over 100 fibroids.
The medical outreach which was made possible by Silver Cross Hospital through its foundation in partnership with other organisations such as Everight Healthcare Foundation, Tulip Eye Hospital, Nigerian Red Cross, and Sam Clef Foundation, also provided free medical care to 8000 indigent residents of the territory.
Also, free surgeries were provided for over 25 individuals, covering fibroid removal, hernia repair, hydrocele treatment, breast cancer surgery, lipoma removal, and cesarean sections.
Speaking to THE WHISTLER, Anthony Nwopara, Okere’s brother, revealed that his sister had struggled with infertility for 15 years of marriage adding that the successful surgery has brought new hope for a more fulfilling life.
“She lives in Suleja. But I live in Kubwa so when I heard about the outreach, I told her to come. She has been married for 15 years. Apart from the fact that she was not able to conceive, she also went through pain. She couldn’t go for surgery because of financial constraints. I am very happy that the pains are over and there is hope for her to conceive,” he stated.
Speaking on Okere’s issue, Silver Cross Hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Patrick Ezie, who performed the surgery, assured that the medical team were able to repair her womb and that she would hopefully be able to conceive in a few months.
“We were able to remove over 100 fibroids from her. She has been carrying it for a long time and it keeps multiplying and growing. It ranks as one of the three largest fibroids we have done in this facility.
“Somebody like that, if she had wanted to pay for the surgery, it would have cost her between N800,000 to N1.5m to do it. That is one example of the cost burden and why she has been carrying it for so long. This is the gift she got for coming to the outreach and meeting this set of collaborators. We decided that we will do the outreach other people do but we will have extra for those who have this kind of burden. She was able to qualify for it. Thank God she has gotten relief from the problem. Hundreds of fibroids are massive.
“We were able to repair the womb almost completely enough for her to carry a baby. Since we have removed the obstruction that has been preventing her from getting pregnant, hopefully, she will be able to conceive in the next few months,” he said.
Ezie noted that more free surgeries are ongoing in the hospital, promising that the Foundation will continue to support any individual or organisation willing to provide health care for the indigents, a core vision of the hospital.
“In total, about 8,000 people were seen. The people benefited from free consultations, free eye checks, free eye surgeries, medication for those who had issues and those who had surgical issues were referred to Silver Cross Hospital,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Idu Nze who had hernia surgery appreciated the organisations that made the outreach possible.
“I am grateful for everyone who made this happen, to reach out to people like us who are unable to pay bills. Before this, I was wondering what was happening to me and how it could be resolved. I heard about the outreach and went. It was there I was told I had a hernia. I was seeing it but didn’t know what it was. I live in Kubwa. I attended the outreach that was organised in Kubwa,” he said.
Nze, a retired teacher, called on other organisations, including politicians to emulate the gesture and ensure that they carry out outreaches that will benefit the poor in society.
“ The surgery is free. I am praying that they should continue so that other people will benefit from this. Politicians should join in this exercise. It is not about squandering money but how they can help the people,” he said.
Also speaking, another beneficiary and a resident of Bwari, stated that the hernia surgery he underwent has saved his life as he was not able to go through with it earlier due to financial constraints.
“I noticed I had a hernia last year. I went to Bwari General Hospital and they told me I was going to do some scans and blood tests. They gave me a bill of N100,000. I have not even talked about the surgery yet.
“I appreciate Dr. Patrick and his team. He is tireless. After he did my surgery, he did two other people’s that day. He left here very late. God will bless him and take him somewhere higher. He is really friendly. Even his staff too. They come at intervals to know how I am feeling and if I need anything. I thank them and the organisations who have decided to help us,” he said.
The six-day outreach in Kubwa, Bwari, Jikwoyi, and Jiwa concluded on a high note, with Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika, Representative of AMAC/Bwari, gracing the occasion and demonstrating his commitment to community development.
Multiple Fibroid Patient, Others Receive Free Surgery, Care In Abuja is first published on The Whistler Newspaper