650 Residents Receive Free Medical Care as Louis-Carter Foundation, ARD-NAUTH Celebrate Philanthropist Onwugbenu

By Our Reporter

No fewer than 650 residents have received free medical services in Nnewi, Anambra State, as the Louis-Carter Foundation, in collaboration with the Association of Resident Doctors, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (ARD-NAUTH), marked the birthday of billionaire philanthropist, Chief Izuchukwu Onwugbenu.

The medical outreach, organised in honour of Onwugbenu, founder of the Louis-Carter Foundation, offered beneficiaries a range of healthcare services, including clinical consultations, antenatal care, vital-sign checks, ultrasound scans, laboratory tests, ophthalmology services, distribution of eyeglasses, drug dispensing, referrals and counselling.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday, President of ARD-NAUTH, Dr Nwabueze Okeke, said more than 20 medical professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, radiologists and nurses, participated in the exercise.

Okeke congratulated Onwugbenu on his birthday and commended the Louis-Carter Foundation for fully sponsoring and partnering with ARD-NAUTH to deliver what he described as a “hugely successful” outreach.

According to him, the exercise enabled the medical team to screen beneficiaries and identify previously undiagnosed health conditions, while providing treatment and counselling for conditions including hypertension, diabetic complications, seizure disorders, neuropathic pain, arthritis and urinary problems.

“As we all know, prevention is still better and cheaper than cure. This is why we at ARD-NAUTH wish to use this medium to raise awareness and encourage people to adopt the culture of routine health checks,” Okeke said.

He disclosed that about 650 patients were attended to during the programme, adding that some beneficiaries who were unaware of their hypertensive status were able to discover it through the screening.

“About 650 patients were attended to. Among them, a number of undiagnosed hypertensive patients got to know their numbers today. We also tested and provided expert counselling on HIV for those who requested it,” he said.

Okeke further urged beneficiaries to adhere strictly to prescribed medications and embrace healthier lifestyles, particularly through proper nutrition and avoidance of harmful substances.

“We encouraged people to adhere strictly to medications and ensure healthy living. We advise healthy dieting and avoiding harmful substances that may affect and damage the organs,” he added.

The ARD-NAUTH president said the association would continue to provide professional support for medical and surgical outreaches in Nnewi and other communities.

He also called on individuals, organisations and other philanthropists to emulate Onwugbenu’s commitment to community development and healthcare access by supporting initiatives that bring essential medical services closer to underserved populations.