By Chigozie Chukwuleta
The 2026 International Medical Mission of the Awka Union USA/Canada commenced today, Monday, May 11, 2026, at Umuzocha Village Hall, offering free medical and optical services to residents across five zones in Awka, Anambra State.
The six-day outreach, which began with orientation on Sunday, May 10, is scheduled to run daily from 9AM to 3PM until Friday, May 15. The mission is providing free screening, diagnosis, treatment, eye examinations, eye drops, and vision glasses to beneficiaries.
Speaking at the opening, President General of Awka Union USA/Canada, Dr. Anthony Nwobum, said the initiative is designed to give back to the community and improve healthcare access for indigenes and Awka residents.
“The reason behind the medical outreach is to help our people. It is one of our social programs aimed to alleviate poverty and improve healthcare delivery to our people and Awka residents generally,” Dr. Nwobum said.
He noted that the Union has sustained the program since 2017 with “huge success.” This year’s edition covers general medical care, with optical services added in response to community demand.
“We treat all sorts of diseases from diabetes, high BP, malaria, arthritis, pain etc. We give vision glasses. We have medical practitioners from all fields: general medicine doctors, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, etc,” he added.
The outreach is zoned across Awka to ensure wider access. Monday’s flag-off at Umuzocha Hall covered the Amenyi zone. The team moves to Ndichie Hall, Umudioka Village for the Ezioka zone on Tuesday, May 12; Ezi-Umuanaga, Agulu Awka for Agulu zone on Wednesday, May 13; Umuokpu Village Awka for Umuokpu zone on Thursday, May 14; and Manari Osonwa Free Clinic, Obodoezi Obunagu, Amikwo for Amikwo zone on Friday, May 15.
Chairperson of the Outreach Committee, Mrs. Gloria Adigwe, who has been with the mission since inception in 2017, said the biggest success is the impact on beneficiaries.
“The successes we have had through the years is just seeing the joy on the people’s faces after we have given them free medical treatment. Treatment ranges from general medicine to optical treatment. We had to add optical treatment this year in response to demands since the beginning of the project”, she said.
She added that the mission also prioritizes medical literacy. “We do the teaching as well as help them with their medical management, showing them how to manage their medical problems.”
For some residents, it is their first experience with the program. Beneficiary Mrs. Veronica Ezeugo commending the organizers for the structure and reach of the outreach.
“I thank the organisers of the outreach for thinking home. This is my first time and the program is well organised with everyone being attended to and medicine given,” she said.
The Awka Union USA/Canada said the annual medical mission remains a core part of its commitment to community development and poverty alleviation through healthcare. More information is available at http://www.awkaunionusacanada.net.
