Christmas celebration came early for parishioners of Maria Assumpta Catholic Parish, Awkunanaw, as the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ukwuani, organized a Free Medical Outreach, the second of its kind this year.
The medical outreach, which has been consistently held twice annually for close to four years, attracted over one thousand parishioners and residents of the surrounding community who trooped in to benefit from various free medical services, including routine medical checks and free drugs.
A large team of medical professionals was fully on ground for the exercise, comprising about 15 dentists, seven medical doctors, three ophthalmologists, pharmacists, and a team of medical laboratory scientists. Services rendered during the outreach included routine vital checks, tooth polishing and scaling, tooth extraction and filling, eye examinations, routine laboratory tests, General Out-Patient Department (GOPD) services, medical consultations, and professional health advice.
The parish is also in the process of erecting a clinic within the parish premises, which is nearing completion. The facility, when completed, is expected to provide regular free medical checks and healthcare services to parishioners and members of the host community.
Speaking to The Choice Flame Newspaper during the outreach, the Vice Chairman of Maria Assumpta Parish, Dr. B. U. Ezeora, described the exercise as “a moment of grace.” He thanked God for the opportunity to sustain the outreach and noted that its impact went beyond the parish, as even non-Catholic residents benefited from the free services.
A parishioner, Ms. Priscilla Nneji, who came for vital checks and medical consultation, expressed deep gratitude for the free services. She noted that the outreach had become a reassuring tradition, especially as it is organized every Christmas or at the end of the year, offering timely medical care to many who might otherwise not afford it.
Similarly, the Youth President of the parish, Mr. Ogbozor Obinna Hilary, expressed delight at the outreach, saying he was “highly elated” and described it as a laudable initiative that should be sustained. He said the programme was a meaningful way of giving back to parishioners while promoting their overall wellbeing, and he commended Fr. Ukwuani for his commitment and vision.
On the sidelines of the outreach, Fr. Ukwuani traced the origin of the medical outreach, explaining that it began as a meaningful initiative to mark the dedication of the parish church building. He added that his personal experience of caring for a sick person further inspired the programme, deepening his understanding that good health is one of life’s greatest gifts.
The parish priest acknowledged the immense contributions of parishioners, friends, and professional colleagues whose financial and technical support ensured the success of the outreach. To guarantee continuity and sustainability, he disclosed that a committee under the Parish Welfare Committee has been constituted to oversee the planning and execution of the medical outreach.
Fr. Ukwuani encouraged fellow priests and pastors of souls to embrace people-oriented projects, noting that such initiatives help to bring the message of the Gospel closer to the lived realities of the people.
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