Soludo Birthday Outreach: Anambra Women Get Free Fibroid Surgeries as Medical Intervention Begins

Women living with fibroids and ovarian cysts in Anambra State have begun receiving free surgical treatment as part of a medical outreach organised by the Friends of Soludo to commemorate the birthdays of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo.

The healthcare intervention, which commenced at the Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital in Njikoka Local Government Area, is providing free screenings, treatments and surgeries to residents, particularly those who have been unable to access medical care because of financial constraints.

Among the major components of the programme is free myomectomy for women diagnosed with fibroids, as well as surgical treatment for ovarian cysts and other medical conditions at designated hospitals across the state.

Speaking at the commencement of the exercise on Monday, the Chief Medical Officer of Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, Dr Dozie Udeolisa, described the initiative as a significant intervention that is giving women an opportunity to access treatments they had previously been unable to afford.

According to him, the cost of fibroid surgery can place considerable pressure on families, forcing some patients to postpone treatment and continue living with pain and other complications.

He said the Friends of the Governor had helped remove that financial barrier by providing the surgeries at no cost to beneficiaries.

Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital is one of the designated centres for the programme, with women who completed the required registration and medical screening now undergoing surgery.

Udeolisa explained that screening commenced before the surgical procedures, while a team comprising experienced surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other healthcare professionals had been deployed to ensure that beneficiaries receive safe and quality care.

He noted that the duration of each operation varies according to the individual patient’s medical condition, stressing that every case requires a different approach.

The Chief Medical Officer also disclosed that the response from beneficiaries had been encouraging, particularly among women who had previously delayed surgery because they could not afford the associated costs.

He commended Governor Soludo and the Friends of the Governor for supporting the initiative, describing it as a practical expression of compassion and a commitment to improving access to healthcare in the state.

The medical outreach extends beyond fibroid and ovarian cyst surgeries.

According to Udeolisa, free cataract surgeries, alongside glaucoma screening and treatment, are being provided at the Anambra State Specialist Eye Centre in Nise, while free hernia surgeries are being conducted at the General Hospital, Umueri.

Eligible residents have therefore been encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing intervention.

The organisers assured beneficiaries that the surgeries are completely free and that patients would receive appropriate medical attention throughout the treatment process.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare in Anambra State, with the birthday outreach providing an opportunity to bring essential medical services directly to residents who might otherwise struggle to meet the cost of treatment.

For many beneficiaries, the intervention represents more than a birthday celebration—it is an opportunity to finally receive medical treatment that had been delayed by financial hardship.