DUFUHS, DUFUTH begin 2-month free medical treatments in Ebonyi

From **Uchenna Inya, ***Abakaliki *

**The **David Umahi Federal University Health Sciences(DUFUHS) and David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, Ebonyi, have commenced a two-month free medical treatment for their host communities and beyond to strengthen healthcare delivery and address common ailments.

The programme, which was launched at the hospital, on Tuesday, is expected to provide residents with access to medical consultation and treatment while promoting early detection and management of common illnesses like diarrhea, malaria, arthritis, high blood pressure, and diarrhea, among others.

Vice-Chancellor, DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, said the initiative was designed to support efforts to improve healthcare services and make medical care more accessible to members of the public.

Uneke said the two-month programme would focus on addressing common health conditions, including malaria, cholera, and other non-communicable diseases. He said the initiative was also aimed at strengthening the relationship between the teaching hospital and the communities within its catchment area by providing medical services to residents who might, otherwise, face difficulties accessing healthcare.

The vice-chancellor said the university and its teaching hospital remained committed to initiatives that would improve the health and wellbeing of the people.

“The treatment is not limited to some persons, it is open for everyone, irrespective of your tribe. This is part of our responsibility to give back to society. Making contributions and support to improve the health of the people, especially those that cannot afford quality healthcare,” he explained.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), DUFUTH, Prof. Chihurumnanya Alo, said the free treatment was necessary to help check common diseases among the people. Alo said the programme was designed to provide opportunity for members of the public to access medical services without being constrained by their social or economic circumstances.

He said the free medical treatment is not restricted to any particular person, group or category of residents, stressing that the programme was open to every citizen who required medical attention during the period of the exercise.

The CMD urged residents to take advantage of the initiative by presenting themselves at the hospital whenever they experienced symptoms requiring medical attention. He said early presentation at healthcare facilities would assist in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of diseases and reduce the risk of complications.

Alo further emphasised the need for residents to adopt healthy practices and cooperate with healthcare professionals in preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

The initiative, according to the hospital, is part of its broader efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and contribute to the wellbeing of people within its host community and surrounding areas.

Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), DUFUTH, Dr Ugoji Darlington-Peter, urged the general public to take advantage of the treatment exercise to examine their health. He explained that the two-month exercise is expected to provide residents with an opportunity to access medical attention while supporting public health efforts against common communicable diseases.

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