As part of efforts to improve access to healthcare and support the well-being of underprivileged communities, the Holy Cross Gwarimpa Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has provided free medical care for over 500 Nigerians.
The medical outreach took place at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The initiative is part of a series of charitable projects that the society plans for underserved Abuja communities and the disadvantaged in commemoration of its 20th anniversary.
Catholic Society Delivers Free Healthcare To Over 500 Abuja Residents
The medical care received by the beneficiaries includes hepatitis A and B, typhoid, malaria, hypertension and hypotension medications, and eye examinations, among other healthcare services.
SSVP is a Catholic organisation that provides person-to-person help to those in need.
The Holy Cross Gwarimpa Conference of SSVP was founded two decades ago, in 2005, to provide charity to the poor and needy.
Catholic Society Delivers Free Healthcare To Over 500 Abuja Residents
During the outreach, more than 500 Abuja residents benefited from comprehensive free medical tests and treatments, giving them access to healthcare services many could not ordinarily afford.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. John, expressed excitement over the free medication he received.
Similarly, a middle-aged woman, Mrs. Hannah expressed gratitude, noting that the intervention came when she could not afford treatment for her illness.
Catholic Society Delivers Free Healthcare To Over 500 Abuja Residents
“I am deeply grateful to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the free medication, which came at a time when I had no money to treat my illness. My heart is full of joy knowing there are still people who care for those of us in need,” she said.
Reacting to the outreach, the President of the Holy Cross Gwarimpa SSVP, Mr. Ipenyi Sylvester said the less privileged and underserved communities are at the centre of its philanthropy.
“The medical intervention marks our 20th anniversary of service to the poor and needy. The church has been our pillar. We are using the medical outreach to appreciate them,” the president said.
Catholic Society Delivers Free Healthcare To Over 500 Abuja Residents
He added, “We have so many people walking with one illness or the other. With this medical outreach, they have been tested for hepatitis, blood sugar, and other illnesses that they may find it difficult to visit the hospital for.
“So, we invited some medical personnel to conduct tests, give medications, and also provide medical advice to the beneficiaries.”
Sylvester also said the medical intervention will help residents and church members who could not afford medical care.
“We have carried out several medical interventions in the last 20 years. This has saved them the resources which some of them do not have,” said Sylvester.
Aside from the medical outreach, the society is planning to cite a water project at Kpai Kpai community.
Kpai Kpai is a rural community located within Gosa, Gui Ward, under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the inhabitants lack potable water.
Another project the society is embarking on is the institution of a scholarship and empowerment programme for 20 Abuja indigenes.
The society also said it would “recognise and award our benefactors and outstanding members of our Conference.”
