An Enugu-based businessman, Mr Oliver Ezemba on Saturday offered free medical services to no fewer than 500 traders in Ogbete Main Market, Enugu.
The businessman said he embarked on the medical outreach under the aegis of `Oliver Ezemba Foundation’ to cater for the health needs of traders.
Ezemba, also a trader in the market, said that the foundation spent over N2 million to get materials and drugs for the free medical outreach.
He said that the outreach would hold old bi-monthly in the market.
“What motivated me is the passion to see people happy and healthy. As a businessman, who is in the health sector, I believe I can make impact in peoples’ lives especially the down trodden, who cannot easily afford medical care.
“I want to also assist the state government and Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in caring for people’s health and well-being to salvage the needy as government alone cannot do it,’’ he said.
He also noted that the foundation would take care of people, who would be sent on referral during the free medical outreach.
Ezemba also said that his foundation had planned to take the free medical care to some rural communities adding that it was targeting at least 10 Local Government Areas in the state before the end of the year.
The free medical treatment covered eye check and provision of eye glasses, insecticide treated nets to pregnant and nursing mothers.
The foundation also conducted blood-sugar, high blood pressure and malaria tests, free drugs and range of baby care products.
A beneficiary of the outreach, Mr Harrison Ugwu, lauded the foundation for the free eye test, pair of glass and eye drops given to him.
“For 32 years I have been s aelling in this market, this is the first time that free medical treatment is being organized in the market.
“It is a big relief, because what I received freely today, will cost me nothing less than N21,000 in any eye hospital,’’ Ugwu, a trader in the market, said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Innocent Achebe, thanked Ezemba for his care and love for fellow traders adding that he had been a pillar of support to the progress of the entire market.
Achebe said that the foundation had given him some medication that would take care of his incessant typhoid and malaria sickness.
“I am grateful for the large quantity of drugs given to me today and I pray that God will continue to bless Ezemba and his business endeavours,’’ he said.
A Laboratory Scientist, Mr Ikenna Okechukwu, who supervised the laboratory tests session, said that most traders were diagnosed of malaria at the event.
