29 children received free heart surgeries and 1,000 patients benefited from a medical mission in Anambra State led by 82 foreign doctors from the US, Sweden, and Canada.
No fewer than 29 children have received free open-heart surgeries, while over 1,000 patients from across Anambra State were treated for various ailments during a medical mission held in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
The mission, led by 82 foreign doctors from the United States, Sweden, and Canada, was conducted under the auspices of the VOOM Foundation and the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF).
The initiative provided critical healthcare services, including cardiovascular evaluations, medicare, and eye treatments.
Patients with mobility challenges were also given walkers, and the community received special gift packs to mark the occasion.
Additionally, medicated eyeglasses were distributed to individuals with vision impairments, in collaboration with Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor.
Mrs Chidinma Okoye, Executive Director of SEOF, revealed that while 29 children benefitted from free open-heart surgeries, over 15 adults were also treated at a subsidised rate.
Some adults, who were unable to afford the cost of their procedures, received treatment at no charge, thanks to the generosity of the international volunteer doctors.
During the mission, interventional cardiologists performed catheterisations on 10 children, further enhancing the range of services provided.
Okoye highlighted that this programme is part of a broader ongoing effort, with 120 successful open-heart surgeries having been conducted since the inauguration of the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital two years ago.
“In this September/October mission, successful free open-heart surgeries were carried out on 29 children, while over 15 adults were offered subsidised treatment for similar procedures,” Okoye explained.
“Some adults who couldn’t pay the subsidised bills were operated on free of charge by these international medical volunteers.”
The Executive Director of the VOOM Foundation USA, Shawn Pulliam, praised the unwavering dedication of the 82 foreign doctors, whose volunteer work made the mission possible.
Coordinator of the VOOM Foundation Medical Missions, Rachael Crandall, echoed these sentiments, calling the mission a major milestone for the hospital and emphasising the need for continued support from both government and private organisations.
With the conclusion of the mission, the impact of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation and VOOM Foundation’s collaboration has reached new heights, providing life-saving treatments and improving the quality of healthcare in the region.