By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

Recently, hundreds of people who live in the Idemili environs went to Ojoto in Anambra state for health pilgrimage to procure free treatments for their diverse ailments.

The historic town of Ojoto, which hosted the seekers of elixir of life, was the home town of the revered and iconic Christopher Okigbo, a poet whose slim poetic output prophesied the Nigeria-Biafra civil war and transported people to the summit of ecstasy.

As only healthy citizens can contribute effectively and meaningfully to national development, the Eric Nnamdi Anyamene Foundation (ENAF) collaborated with the Dynasty Hospital, Ojoto to give residents of Idemili North and South LGAs free healthcare services.

The one-day free healthcare services took place on January 21, 2026 at the Dynasty Hospital, Ojoto, which is in Idemili South LGA of Anambra state.

During the free healthcare outreach, people were tested for malaria parasites. And those diagnosed as having malaria were given the appropriate therapies.

Again, people were tested for HIV/AIDS. And those who tested positive to the HIV/AIDS virus were given medical counseling and directives regarding how to treat and manage their health condition.

Hundreds of people who belong to different social statuses and age demographics thronged the Dynasty hospital and maternity, Ojoto for the one-day free medical outreach, which encompassed testing for malaria parasites and treatment and screening for HIV/AIDS and counseling.

The coordinator of ENAS, Mrs. Nche Ejindu-Egwu, revealed that the free health programme was designed to benefit everybody irrespective of the person’s social status, age demographic, and place of residence.

“This programme is for everybody. And if anybody has any diseases outside malaria and HIV/AIDS, the hospital is open for them,” Mrs. Egwu said.

And in his own remarks, the Managing Director of Dynasty Hospital, Ojoto, Chief Abel Adirika, described the founder of ENAF, Engr. Eric Anyamene, as a man, who is wired with the genetic code of kindheartedness and love.

“I’ve known Engr. Eric Anyamene back in the days in the university.

“It is in his DNA to help people.

“He would come all the way from England, and use his pocket money to help other students,” Adirika said.

Chief Adirika further said that the ENAF and Dynasty Hospital partnership would continue to organize health outreaches to help sick people access free healthcare services.

He hinted at their plan to organize the performance of free hernia surgeries for people and the delivery of pregnant women of babies at no cost.

More so, one of the beneficiaries of the free healthcare services for Idemili people, Mrs Ogechi Okeke, who was effusive in her expression of thanks to the organizers of the programme, stated that organizing the free healthcare outreach was no easy task.

“I thank the sponsors and organizers of this free healthcare programme for their large-heartedness and fore-sightednrss.

“Giving people free healthcare services is not easy,” Okeke said.

•Okoye, a poet, is an Information Officer in the Anambra state ministry of Information.