A health firm, Niphemy Solution Limited, with National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) have raised the alarm over possible outbreak of epidemics in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
They warned that residents of the area were danger of being hit by deadly scourge if something urgent was not done in cleaning up the slum.
Okpoko is a slum area located between Onitsha and Ogbaru Local Governments Area of the state with very high population density.
Speaking during a 2-day Free Medical Outreach organised by immediate past member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, Consultant, Niphemy Solutions Limited Outreach Services, Babatunde Ojo decried prevalent cases of malaria and typhoid fever presented by the patients.
He attributed the worrisome development to the filthy environment of the area, stagnant water breeding mosquitoes, and dirty food stuff markets surrounding the community.
He called for intervention of both Federal and State governments, as well as spirited individuals to save the residents of the area from the looming epidemic outbreak.
According to Ojo, “From the texts we have conducted people are testing negative to HIV/AIDS, we only have three positive cases, two female and one male, who have been receiving treatments in General Hospital Onitsha.
“But most of the patients attended to are prone to malaria and typhoid and this is the result of environment they live; the place is filthy, gutters are stagnant and the markets are not well kept, exposing them to outbreak of epidemics.
“We also attended to few elderly people who presented cases of arthritis, high blood pressure and eye problems.”
Chief Medical Director, Diocesan Hospital in Okpoko, Dr Ejikeme Okonkwo said, “These residents are poor and can’t access medical treatment on their own. Most of them have not visited the hospitals for over three years, they prefer to patronize chemists and quacks.
“That’s why they need continuous free medical attention like Rt. Hon Chukwuka Onyema, has been giving them, even when he is no more in the National Assembly.”
Director General, Chukwuka Onyema’s Campaign Organization, Chief Okoli Emeka, promised sustenance of the free medical services, particularly Okpoko people which he described as dear to the benefactor’s heart.
A total of 1162 patients attended to out of the 1500 patients targeted to benefit from the free medical outreach.
