By Emeka Chiaghanam
There was joy, relief and long queues of hopeful residents across parts of Awka in Anambra State as members of the Awka Union USA/Canada rolled out another round of free medical services for people in the community and nearby areas.
The large-scale medical outreach, now in its fifth edition, attracted no fewer than 3,000 beneficiaries made up of both indigenes and non-indigenes who turned up for treatment, drugs and health checks at different locations across the town.
From elderly men struggling with failing eyesight to mothers seeking treatment for high blood pressure and malaria, the atmosphere around the medical centres was filled with gratitude as residents received care many said they could not ordinarily afford.
The outreach, which began on 11 May 2026, moved through several centres including Umuzocha, Ndichie Hall in Umudioka, Ezi Umuanaga Village in Agulu Quarters, Umuokpu Village Hall and the Manari Osonwa Free Clinic located at Obodjezi in Obunagu Village, Amikwo Quarter. The exercise is expected to end on 15 May.
Speaking to journalists during the programme, the President-General of Awka Union USA/Canada, Dr Anthony Nwobum, explained that the medical mission remains one of the organisation’s major humanitarian projects aimed at supporting the wellbeing of people back home.
He said the initiative was not sponsored by government or outside agencies but entirely funded by members of the union living in the United States and Canada.
According to him, members agreed during their annual convention to continue contributing resources towards improving the lives of people in Awka through healthcare and social support projects.
Dr Nwobum noted that the huge turnout at the centres showed clearly that many families were struggling to access proper healthcare because of rising medical costs and economic hardship.
He revealed that about 60 medical personnel were engaged for the mission, adding that hundreds of patients had already received treatment as the exercise continued.
Also speaking, the President of Awka Union USA/Canada, Onyebuchi Mbonu, said different branches of the union abroad contributed funds to make the programme successful as a way of giving back to their homeland.
He expressed concern over the poor state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, arguing that citizens living overseas were being forced to step in because government had not done enough to meet the medical needs of ordinary people.
“If healthcare services were working properly, we would not be seeing this kind of crowd here,” he said while pointing at the large number of residents waiting patiently for medical attention.
Mbonu added that the increasing number of people seeking free treatment was a sign that many households could no longer cope with the high cost of drugs, hospital bills and specialist care.
The Chairperson of the union, Dr Gloria Adigwe, described the outreach as a direct effort to reduce hardship among vulnerable residents by providing medical support free of charge.
She explained that patients were receiving different forms of treatment including eye care services, eye tests, prescription glasses and medications for illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, stroke-related conditions, malaria, body pains and high blood pressure.
Dr Adigwe recalled that the medical mission first started in 2017 and had steadily expanded over the years because of the growing demand for affordable healthcare.
According to her, many residents who cannot afford expensive hospital treatment or overseas medical care now depend heavily on programmes such as this for survival and early diagnosis.
She urged governments at all levels in Nigeria to learn from social healthcare systems abroad where poorer citizens are supported through public health programmes designed to make treatment accessible.
“We believe it is better and cheaper to bring medical services closer to our people here instead of waiting for them to travel abroad in search of treatment,” she said.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Comrade Chuks Nweke, also praised members of the diaspora union for remaining committed to the welfare of the community despite living far away from home.
He said the yearly intervention had continued to improve lives through access to quality drugs, better health awareness, improved eyesight and financial relief for struggling families.
According to him, many residents save money they would have spent on hospital visits because of the free services being offered during the outreach.
Leading the medical team, Dr Titi Uyanwune disclosed that the healthcare mission involved a wide range of professionals including 12 doctors, 12 pharmacists, four optometrists, two radiographers, 14 nurses and 20 support staff.
The diaspora-based physician said the annual exercise focuses not only on treatment but also on health education and preventive care aimed at helping residents live healthier lives.
She appealed to government authorities to establish more healthcare centres and strengthen medical services in rural and urban communities to reduce the burden of chronic illnesses among citizens.
