The member representing Enugu East Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Honourable Raymond Ugwu, has reaffirmed his commitment to improving the health and well-being of his constituents through strategic partnerships aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare.
Honourable Ugwu made the commitment during a free medical outreach organised in partnership with Rotary International with the themed “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children, Healthy Community,” at the Umuchigbo Iji Nike Primary Health Centre in Enugu East Local Government Area.
Speaking during the exercise, the lawmaker said his decision to support the initiative was driven by a campaign promise to prioritise the welfare and livelihood of the people of Enugu East Rural Constituency.
According to him, good health remains one of the most fundamental needs of every citizen, stressing that providing free medical services to the people is one practical way of reducing the burden of rising healthcare costs and improving the quality of life of vulnerable residents.
Honourable Ugwu explained that he immediately embraced the partnership when Rotary International approached him because it aligned with his resolve to deliver quality representation and continually engage initiatives that would alleviate the suffering of his constituents.
The lawmaker noted that the medical outreach also complements the healthcare vision of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah, particularly the ongoing expansion of Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.
He commended Rotary International for supporting the government’s healthcare agenda, expressing confidence that such collaborations would strengthen primary healthcare delivery and position Enugu among the leading states in healthcare services nationwide.
Honourable Ugwu also pledged sustained collaboration with Rotary International following his recognition as a Polio Ambassador by the organisation.
He assured that he would continue to support advocacy and sensitisation campaigns aimed at eliminating polio and improving child health across Enugu State, stressing that the partnership would not end with the current outreach but would continue in the interest of healthier communities.
Also speaking, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9142, Rotarian Chibuzo Asogwa, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare through strategic partnerships and community-based interventions.
He explained that the project is the first major initiative of the Rotary year under one of Rotary International’s seven areas of focus, adding that the district deliberately selected the Umuchigbo health facility to improve healthcare services for mothers and children in the community.
According to him, healthy mothers and healthy children are essential to building a healthy community, stressing that Rotary remains committed to making a lasting impact through humanitarian service.
The District Governor said the organisation donated medical items and equipment to the health centre to enhance service delivery, noting that the facilities would benefit not only the women present during the outreach but also future patients who would access healthcare at the centre.
Rotarian Asogwa described collaboration as the driving force behind Rotary’s humanitarian interventions, explaining that the organisation partners with individuals and institutions willing to contribute their time, talent and resources to address societal needs.
He noted that although Rotarians may not be the wealthiest people, they believe that collective efforts produce greater and more sustainable results than individual actions.
The Rotary District Governor commended the member representing Enugu East Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Honourable Raymond Ugwu, the Enugu East Local Government Chairman, the host community and other partners for supporting the outreach.
He expressed optimism that Rotary would sustain its humanitarian interventions in the community, promising that the organisation would continue to return with programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of residents.
On her part, the Enugu State Representative for Maternal and Child Health under Rotary Club International, Rotarian Queendalyn Chijioke Okwene, disclosed that the outreach initially targeted 500 beneficiaries but attracted far more participants, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, elderly women and men.
She described the overwhelming turnout as a clear indication of the community’s healthcare needs and expressed delight at the success of the exercise, noting that beneficiaries received free medical services and essential healthcare items.
Okwene said the outreach forms part of Rotary International’s seven areas of focus, stressing that the initiative is not limited to Umuchigbo but is extended to communities across the state and beyond whenever the need arises.
According to her, the outreach focused on improving the health of pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, while also providing access to free health insurance enrolment through partner organisations to enable beneficiaries obtain healthcare services whenever necessary.
She emphasised that all services and items distributed during the exercise—including medications, mosquito nets, sanitary pads, diapers, baby care items, Veronica buckets, stethoscopes, Ambu bags and other medical supplies, were provided completely free of charge.
She also expressed gratitude to the various organisations and individuals including the member representing Enugu East Rural Constituency, Hon.Raymond Ugwu, who partnered with Rotary Club to make the outreach successful, praying for continued blessings and protection for all contributors.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach including, Mrs. Odoh Gertrude, commended the initiative, describing it as a life-changing intervention that gave residents access to quality healthcare at no cost.
According to them, the programme demonstrated the importance of regular medical checks and preventive healthcare for mothers and children.
The beneficiaries encouraged members of the public to take advantage of similar medical outreach programmes whenever they are organised, stressing that good health remains invaluable.
They praised the organisers for making healthcare services accessible to everyone through the free initiative, saying the intervention had removed financial barriers to essential medical treatment.
The outreach provided free medical consultations, essential drugs and healthcare services to residents, especially pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, as part of Rotary International’s efforts to promote healthier families and communities.
