News
Compassion, Good Medicine For Health-Rt Rev. Enyinda
The indispensable roles of health workers in the development of our society cannot be over emphasised. However, in a sermon on last Sunday tilted “Thus Far, The Lord Has Helped Me” (1 Sam 7:12), The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Blessing Enyinda noted that health workers contribute immensely in ensuring the good health and wealth of a nation because health is wealth. In the sermon at the thanksgiving ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of St. Luke’s Anglican Church Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area (EMOLGA), The Lord Bishop said the anniversary is dedicated to St. Luke the doctor and evangelist. He stressed that St Luke, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ was a Greek and gentile Christian who travelled round the world with St Paul preaching the gospel and attending to the sick with compassion and great care. Rt. Rev. Enyinda contended that St Luke also contributed in spreading the gospel through his publications such as St. Luke gospel and The Acts of the Apostles among others. He said Lukes evangelical and humanitarian services form part of our Christian faith. He stressed that “health workers should emulate the good example of St. Luke by showing compassion to their patients at all times because compassion is a good doctor’s medicine.” Speaking with The Weekend Tide shortly after the thanksgiving service, the Arch Deacon of Emohua Archdeaconry/Vicar of St Luke’s Anglican Church Emohua, Ven. Prof. W. O. Wotogbe-Weneka thanked God for the laudable achievements recorded in the church since 75 years ago, all due to the glory of God as well as to the efforts of dedicated members. The Vicar noted that the motto of St Luke’s is “to bring the gospel closer to the people” which the church has been doing over the years. He said the church which arrived 75 years ago has not only lived up to its spiritual expectations by establishing more Anglican church branches in Emohua, but had also lived up to the educational expectations of the people as the school that came with it (St. Luke’s Anglican school) Emohua has also produced many great men and women from within and beyond Emohua communities. Ven. (Prof.) Wotogbe Weneka stated that the church with a humble beginning as a single station 75 years ago metamorphosed to a district church in 1991 and by today it is Emohua Archdeaconry headquarters in the now Diocese of Ikwerre. He stressed that the way the church of Nigeria, Anglican communion is progressing in recent times one may not be surprised if the church advances to a Cathedral status in the near future. The chairman of the anniversary planning committee Sir (Dr) F. C. Obinna thanked members and other guests for their positive response which contributed greatly to the success of the event. He said “for the past 75 years we have not had the opportunity to celebrate earlier than now so the church decided to make it a special and memorable celebration and by all standards it turned out to be what we expected.” He noted that the church is growing from strength to strength, stressing that even some members who left the church for personal reasons are now coming back to the church. He said more members are expected to come back to the fold and the church is ever willing to accept them back. Sir (Dr) Obinna who is also one of the leading members of the church maintained that as a rural church money is always a problem but to the glory of God the church is moving forward.” We are moving towards expanding the church but, the priority now is to complete the church auditorium, and ceiling of the new churches at Mgbuetor, Isiodu, Rumuohia and Mgbritanwo,” he said. Among the activities that marked the five day anniversary celebrations include sensitisation of Emohua community, powerful crusade, gospel music fiesta, novelty football match, drama, film show and thanksgiving service.
Jacob Obinna
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
