Oron Development Union (ODU) USA, Inc funded annual Free Medical Mission was implemented from January 06 to 10, 2020 across the 5LGAs of Oron Nation as follows; Uda village of Mbo LGA, Obufi village of Okobo LGA, Eyokponung village of Udung Uko LGA, Udung Uwe village of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA and Eyetong village of Oron LGA. The Free Medical Mission was implemented by Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) with the active participation of the President of ODU USA, Inc., Engr. Bob Onofiok; the Medical Mission Committee Chairman of ODU USA, Inc., Dr. Ini Ukoh, and other members of ODU USA, Inc.
A total of two thousand, four hundred and twenty-three (2,423) persons disaggregated into nine hundred and forty-nine (949) males and one thousand, four hundred and seventy-four (1,474) females received free treatment for various ailments ranging from; malaria, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, skin disorders, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), visual disorders to non-specific disorders. Of the beneficiaries, children aged 0 to 14 years were 672 (312 males, 360 females) while adults aged 15 years above were 1751 (637 males, 1114 females). During the outreaches, some of the benefitting community members were screened for HIV, malaria, random blood sugar, and tuberculosis. Also, 791 persons disaggregated into 279 males and 512 females received free eye care services.
On LGA by LGA basis, the number of persons that benefitted from the free medical outreaches this year were as follows; on January 06, 2020, Uda community of Mbo LGA had three hundred and ninety-nine (399) persons (168 males, 231 females); on January 07, 2020, Obufi community of Okobo LGA had four hundred and forty-four (444) persons (192 males, 252 females); on January 08, 2020, Eyokponung community of Udung Uko LGA had five hundred and five (505) persons (196 males, 309 females); on January 09, 2020, Udung Uwe community of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA had four hundred and forty-three (443) persons (206 males, 237 females) and on January 10, 2020, Eyetong community of Oron LGA had six hundred and thirty-two (632) persons (187 males, 445 females).
A total of 717 persons comprised of 246 males and 471 females received HIV Testing Services (HTS) out of which 59 (14 males, 45 females) tested positive. The HIV positive clients were immediately initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy by FHI360 Community ART Management (CAM) Team 1, who were on hand. The FHI360 CAM Team 1 collaborated with the Free Medical Mission team during the 2020 Free Medical Missions and enrolled HIV positive clients for treatment and follow up. Also, 211 persons (87males, 124 females) received free malaria testing, out of which 64 persons (28 males, 36 females) tested positive for malaria parasite. 286 persons (101 males, 185 females) received free Random Blood Sugar screening, out of which 211 persons (65 males, 146 females) had normal blood-sugar, 48 persons (25 males, 23 females) were pre-diabetic and 27 persons (11 males, 16 females) were diabetic. Also, 86 persons disaggregated into 22 males and 64 females were screened for Tuberculosis of which 4 persons (1 male, 3 females) tested positive for Tuberculosis, sequel to post medical mission diagnosis at the laboratory. The TB positive clients were linked up for treatment at DOTS Centre, Quick Response to Community Development Health Initiative (QRHIN).