Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has launched a free prostate screening and telescopic surgery programme for men, with a call on residents to embrace regular medical check-ups and early diagnosis of prostate-related conditions.
The intervention, which was flagged off at Ezzamgbo General Hospital in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, provides free medical screening and tests, while beneficiaries diagnosed with severe prostate conditions are to receive government-funded treatment and surgery.
Represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, Governor Nwifuru described the initiative as significant, noting that it was the first health programme specifically targeted at men under his administration.
The governor said the intervention was consistent with his administration’s health agenda, stressing that the government had continued to strengthen the health sector through the recruitment of medical personnel, provision of modern medical equipment and expansion of health insurance coverage.
He urged men, particularly those aged 40 years and above, to take advantage of the programme and make preventive healthcare and routine medical examinations part of their lifestyle.
Nwifuru further directed the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Sct. Paul Ituma, to improve basic amenities, including water and sanitary facilities, at the hospital to enhance the welfare of patients and healthcare users.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, said the state government had also expanded health insurance coverage to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, persons living with sickle cell disease, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
He said the broader healthcare interventions were aimed at reducing financial barriers to accessing essential medical services and improving health outcomes across the state.
The Medical Officer of Ezzamgbo General Hospital, Dr Ifeanyi Edeaja, disclosed that the facility had successfully performed eight telescopic prostate surgeries without casualty, mortality or morbidity.
According to him, the procedure, which could cost about N2 million in conventional circumstances, would be provided free to eligible beneficiaries under the intervention, while necessary medical tests would also be funded by the state government.
Edeaja said the hospital had witnessed a significant increase in patronage, rising from about 35–60 patients monthly to more than 500 patients, following improved services and equipment.
He encouraged men aged 40 and above to utilise the opportunity for screening and early diagnosis, warning against delaying medical attention until symptoms become severe.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr Sabinus Nwibo, urged men to overcome poor health-seeking habits and prioritise preventive healthcare.
Nwibo warned that untreated or neglected prostate-related conditions could develop into serious complications, stressing the importance of early presentation and professional medical evaluation.
The Vice-Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Prof Jesse Uneke, commended the intervention, describing it as a timely response to the often-neglected healthcare needs of men.
Uneke advocated a stronger culture of early diagnosis among men, noting that economic, family and social responsibilities often make men reluctant to seek medical attention until health conditions become advanced.
One of the beneficiaries, John Ogbonna, who said he had battled a prostate condition since 2013, expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying the condition had severely affected his ability to urinate before he accessed the government-sponsored medical care.
The programme is expected to provide eligible men with access to screening, diagnosis and specialised treatment while reinforcing the state government’s emphasis on preventive healthcare and improved access to medical services at the grassroots.
I
