The initiative is the brainchild of retired plastic surgeon, Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile, who hails from Nnobi, Nigeria. Its aim is to address the poor and long neglected health care situation in Nnobi, a town in Idemili Local government area of Anambra State.
The Nnobi USA Diaspora Health Group’s free health screening got a boost penultimate weekend when friends and well-wishers of the town donated over $11,000 dollars to support the initiative. The fundraiser was part of the 2017 Nnobi Union North America’s convention held at Adria Hotel in New York City.
The initiative is the brainchild of retired plastic surgeon, Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile, who hails from Nnobi, Nigeria. Its aim is to address the poor and long neglected health care situation in Nnobi, a town in Idemili Local government area of Anambra State. In the presentation made at the gala night, Prof. Ofodile, a clinical professor emeritus of Columbia University, New York, revealed that the health fair and screening done by the group across Nnobi last year benefited over 1000 people. Out of that number, 607 were treated on the spot, of which 280 were treated for malaria, 290 were treated for high blood pressure and 37 were treated for diabetes.
Other projects being carried out by the diaspora group were infrastructural improvements at the town’s health centers and general hospital, the establishment of Nnobi Integrated Community Healthcare Program as a vehicle to implement the goals of offering preventative medicine, training of healthcare workers and provision of medical equipment for the management of ailments like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and malaria.
The fundraiser was part of a long evening full of cultural displays and performances. There were dances by Nnobi women and sons and daughters of Nnobi born in America. Three fierce-looking masquerades entertained the audience.
Amongst the great sons and daughters of Nnobi in attendance were Professor Chuka O. G. Obah, Professor Peter Ezekwenna and Prof. Ferdinand Ofodile.
Prof Obah was a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri. As a member of Igwe’s cabinet, he also represented the Igwe of Nnobi, Igwe Nick Obi.
In a communiqué issued by the union of Nnobi people in North America at the end of the convention, they pledged to continue building and strengthening the Nnobi community and to raise more funds to support the healthcare goals of the people they left at home.
