Medical doctors under the auspices of Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) have offered free medical services to 500 residents of Gishiri, a suburb in the heart of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The beneficiaries, mostly women and children, were screened for diabetes, malaria, HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 after which they were given drugs.
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The catholic doctors also offered health and wellness talks; sensitising the people on the need to always exercise, eat healthy food and drink responsibly.
Speaking at the event held in the premises of the Catholic Church of the Annunciation in the community, ACMPN’s National President, Dr Matthew Ashikeni, said the free health services were part of activities lined up for its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference 2021scheduled for July in Abuja.
Dr Ashikeni noted that it was a full package of healthcare services to the people of the community, with minimum target of 500 beneficiaries.
He said, “Health is wealth, and Gishiri from its setting, is more or less a rural community, though it’s so close to the city, and as catholic doctors, we are preparing for our national conference next month, and as part of the preparations for the event here in Abuja, we feel that we should give something to our people, especially those who don’t have any access to essential health services.”
Reacting, Rev Fr Benedict Ahamiojie, the parish priest of the Church of Annunciation, said the environment and health sectors needed improvement so that people lived healthier lives in healthier conditions, and therefore thanked the doctors for the free tests and the free drugs.
