Towards ensuring that the less privileged in the society were not excluded from good healthcare delivery, a body known as Smiley Rural Healthcare Foundation has rendered low cost services to numerous people with one health challenge or the other, including those who required surgeries at a cost effective rates in the State.
The body which is domiciled in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital brought its healthcare services to the State which lasted for a whole month (July 2019). At the Rumuji Community Hall in Diobu Port Harcourt, many with diverse health challenges were attended to, including many in need of minor medical procedures.
One of the beneficiaries, Esther Kinika, expressed satisfaction at the services of the Smiley Foundation, stating that without such opportunities extended to the people in Rivers State many would have suffered needlessly due to lack of funds. She said that: ” A friend told me about what is going on here and I came to make enquiries. The only thing required for my registration and consultation is the N1000.00 I paid. I want to thank the Foundation and the Rivers State government who allowed them to come in.
She revealed that her infertility case became less challenging after the laboratory tests revealed the causes of her problem. “I did necessary tests and I collected the results the next day. I was referred to do other tests outside, I am hopeful that my problems will be solved,”she disclosed.
Another beneficiary of the foundation services, Linus Apong, said that both for him and his aged mother, will remain grateful. He shed light on the fact that his aged mother, who was victim of motor bike accident received further treatment which he said now helped her stability.
Another patient at the Rumuji Hall, venue of the low cost healthcare services, Madam Patience Ananaba, also thanked the Foundation, stating that she suffered from low sugar, According to her, without taking advantage of the services rendered she could have suffered a lot more without knowledge of what the challenge was.
But when National Network approached the personnel for more comments on the activities of the foundation, the officials on duty could not volunteer all necessary information, even as a doctor who pleaded anonymity said that the Foundation had one month to conclude its programmes in the state. He informed that the foundation may plead for elongation of time because of the awareness of the services which brought in more patients by the day. “If they allow us to stay more, the period for us to stay may be elongated, but I know that we are here for a month, “he said.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries who received different treatments were unanimous in their appreciation of the services rendered by the foundation.
