Onitsha Main Market Clinic Organizes Free Medical Outreach, Sensitizes Traders
By Ebele Egoh
The Medical Doctor in charge of Onitsha Main Market clinic, Olisaemeka Anierobi with his management team has organized a one-day free medical services for traders at the clinic as their corporate responsibility.
Dr Anierobi said that it was necessary to use the free medical outreach to create awareness that such a facility is in existence and functional with experienced and qualified doctors, including other health workers.
"When we were sent here, we realized that almost all the people in the market did not know that there is already a functional clinic here so we decided to offer this free medical outreach as a way to sensitize them.
‘'You can see the crowd that is here for medical check-ups, laboratory examinations, others, and every service we render is free, but subsequent services would be paid for," he said.
According to Dr Anierobi, the clinic will solve many health issues of traders, particularly those who might suddenly fall sick or develop illness while in their shops. No transport fare is required to access care in the clinic because of its location.
Declaring the event open, the Hospital Administrator, Dr Frank Ifeanaeme said that the state government wants to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of people.
He said, "considering the role the market plays in the country and beyond, it became necessary that the government brings healthcare delivery to their doorsteps so that they can easily have access to the facility at no extra stress while doing their business.
‘"The free medical outreach is a step in the right direction; it will help to promote the facility and positively enhance the perception of traders toward the facility.
Dr Ifeanaeme praised the doctor in charge of the clinic, Dr Anierobi for working tirelessly to ensure that traders have access to quality healthcare services.
The chairman of the market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha, expressed joy to have witnessed the event, thanking the Health Commissioner, Dr Afam Obidike, and his team for this laudable initiative even as he used the opportunity to sensitize traders about the need to visit the clinic for routine medical checkups.
Chief Ezeoha applauded the state government for their quick response to making the clinic functional, adding that he would make sure that the environment is conducive for health workers to effectively work.
"We thank Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for opening this clinic, equipping it, and making it functional.
"When we assumed office, I found out that there is a structure that has been there for a health centre and people wanted to convert it into shops but having known the importance of health to our people I resisted.
"I told the Health Commissioner, Dr Obidike about it who then discussed with the governor; he came to our rescue, today this clinic is functional with qualified healthcare workers", he narrated.
The Chairman, Niger line Onitsha Main market, Chukwudi Ezenwuba extolled the government for deeming it necessary to have this clinic inside the market for easy access to healthcare.
He explained that prior to putting the clinic in order, traders used to find it very difficult to access healthcare outside the market, adding that with the clinic now functional, the problem is solved.
*Ebele is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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