By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The chairman of New Auto Spare Parts market, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Chief Stephen Oforle and traders there in,have lauded Governor Charles Soludo and ASMATA leaders on the free medical treatment to traders.
Chief Oforle made the commendation while fielding questions from newsmen in his office stating that, “It is a thing of joy that it is being done here in our market, I also provided a conducive environment for them. Traders trooped out en masse, like yesterday, they over stayed their time due to massive turn up.
“As we help to sensitize traders to make sure the free medical treatment yielded fruits, I as well plead to the state government for the continuation of this free medical treatment and provision of drugs to help in case of critical conditions.
He however frowned at the inability of Africans especially Ndi Igbo to go for medical check ups adding that instead they are more interested in their businesses than health, adding that a healthy person enjoys wealth and the to check their health status at least two or three times in a year.
Ambassador Ezeilo Flanklin, the Medical Bio Chemistry, and Director, ASMATA free medical treatment, in his words said that “This is the third zone out of the seven zones of ASMATA, we have been to Ekwulobia, Aguata, and ,Awka zones and today we are rounding up Idemili zone at the New Auto Spareparts market Nkpor.
“We have treated over 300 plus patients in these zones, records so far showed that the most pronounced medical cases were BP and sugar.
” No much challenges in terms of availability of hospital consumables, the ASMATA leadership has done well on that, little challenge is that some of the zones we have been to before this one didn’t do proper arrangement in terms of mobilizing market men and women to check their health status which is for free.
“But in Idemili here, it is something extra ordinary, we have 200 plus patients only here, I am impressed by their turn up, it means they value their health.
” Most people don’t know what they are facing health wise but it is only when they undergo this type of test that they know what health check up is all about on getting medical counseling. .
“I advise that one should go for routine check and know the parameters of his body system, vital signs and know if you are healthy or not before you pursue this money.
” It is very important to do this continuously, I even said that I will personally reach out to the commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike, he is doing well in primary health in the state but will ask him to find a way to collaborate with ASMATA.
“If possible, let it be done one day out of the five days of trading and tag it Anambra Health Check Day. This will help a lot of traders to come out and participate in full force
” I urge the state government, governors’ wife, I love what she is doing in health status of Anambrarians, I ask all parastatals of health to come together to form a bond with ASMATA to do this often more, two or three times, because without the health of the traders, they will not trade well to pay tax and governor will have money for all the infrastructural development,” he stated.
Comrade Anayo Ibeabuchi, PRO New Auto Spare Parts stated that New Auto Spare Parts is the venue for about 12 markets under Idemili North and South.
He commended the organisers of the free medical treatment and the traders as well as those who participated in the free medical exercise.
