Timber dealers, workers and members of the host community in Ebonyi State have lauded the Equi-Resp Africa Project for providing free screening and treatment for respiratory diseases, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving.
The medical outreach was held at the Linus Ede Memorial Timber Shed in Abakaliki and was led by the Vice-Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Prof. Jesse Uneke, who serves as the Principal Investigator of the Equi-Resp Africa Project. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Child Health (ICH) of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA).
The initiative focused on timber dealers and workers who are routinely exposed to wood dust and smoke, occupational hazards linked to respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer.
Beneficiaries received free medical consultations, health screenings, treatment and medications, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to access quality healthcare at no cost.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Okpani Kingsley, said the outreach enabled him to receive proper medical attention for his health concerns.
“I usually have heart-related problems. The medical team examined me thoroughly, gave me free drugs and explained how to use them. I sincerely thank Prof. Jesse Uneke and his team for remembering timber dealers,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Enewo Emeka Enewo, described the programme as a welcome intervention, especially for workers who struggle to afford healthcare.
“I am very happy about this medical exercise. The team considered people like us who cannot easily afford treatment. They screened me and gave me drugs free of charge,” he said.
The Equi-Resp Africa Project is aimed at reducing the burden of respiratory diseases among vulnerable populations by promoting early detection, treatment and improved occupational health awareness.
