No fewer than 29 children received free open heart surgeries as 1,000 patients from across Anambra State have received free treatment of various ailments provided by 82 foreign doctors during a medical mission in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government of the state.
The doctors, from the United States, Sweden, and Canada, worked under the VOOM Foundation and the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation to deliver free cardiovascular evaluations, medicare, and medicated eyeglasses to those with eye conditions on Tuesday.
Walkers were also distributed to those with mobility issues, along with special gift packs for the community.
The Executive Director of SEOF, Mrs Chidinma Okoye, announced that 29 children received free open-heart surgeries, while over 15 adults were given subsidised treatment for similar procedures.
Okoye said some adults who couldn’t afford the subsidised cost were treated free of charge.
The medical mission also saw interventional cardiologists perform catheterisations on 10 children, while the foundation partnered with Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor, to address various eye issues.
Okoye noted that since the inauguration of the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital two years ago, 120 successful open-heart surgeries have been performed.
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Okoye said, “In this Sept/Oct Mission of the VOOM Foundation, successful free open heart surgeries were carried out on 29 children while over 15 adults received a subsidized bill for the open heart surgeries performed on them.
“Some adults who couldn’t pay the subsidized bills were operated on free of charge by these international Medical Volunteers.
“During the Free Medicare programme, interveinal Cardiologists joined the Medical Experts and performed interveinal Catheterizations on 10 kids, the Foundation also partnered with Immaculate Heart Eye Clinic, Nkpor in terms of manpower to address many people with eye defects.
“With the conclusion of the Medical Mission, a total of 120 Open Heart Surgeries have been successfully carried out at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital Oraifite since the inauguration of this World Class Cardiovascular Facility two years ago.”
The Executive Director of the VOOM Foundation USA, Shawn Pulliam, praised the commitment of the 82 volunteer doctors.
Also, the Coordinator of VOOM Foundation Medical Missions, Rachael Crandall, described the mission as a significant milestone for the hospital. She called for further support from the government and private organisations.
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