Free surgeries for fibroid patients begin in Anambra

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By Madu Obi

A ray of hope has come the way of Anambra women who have fibroid, as free surgeries for them have commenced at the Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital in Njikoka local government area of the state.

The exercise is part of a medical outreach organized by the Friends of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in honour of his birthday and that of his wife, Dr.Nonye Soludo, under Soludo's Healthcare Initiative.

The programme, which offers free medical screening, treatment and surgeries to residents of Anambra State, is aimed at easing the financial burden on patients who require specialised medical care.

Essentially, the exercise covers free myomectomy for women with fibroids and ovarian cysts, as well as other surgical interventions in designated hospitals across the state.

Speaking during the commencement of the programme, the Chief Medical Officer of Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, Dr. Dozie Udeolisa, described the initiative as a life-changing intervention that would give many women access to surgery they could not previously afford.

"Fibroid surgery is often beyond the financial reach of many families, causing patients to live with pain and complications for years", Udeolisa said, noting that the free surgery programme would remove that barrier by providing treatment at no cost.

He explained that Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital is one of the designated centres for the exercise, where women who successfully completed the registration and screening process are now undergoing surgery.

According to him, screening began before the commencement of operations, while a team of experienced surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other healthcare professionals has been mobilized to ensure safe and successful procedures.

He added that each operation would be handled according to the patient's medical condition, stressing that there is no fixed duration for surgery because every case is different.

He described the turnout of beneficiaries as encouraging, adding that many women who had postponed treatment because of financial difficulties are now free to receive the care they need without paying for the surgery.

Udeolisa expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo and the Friends of the Governor for supporting the initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of compassion and commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Anambra State.

In addition to the fibroid, the medical outreach would feature free cataract surgery, glaucoma screening and treatment at the Anambra State Specialist Eye Centre, Nise, as well as free hernia surgeries at General Hospital, Umueri.

He encouraged eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing programme, assuring that patients will receive quality medical care throughout the exercise.