FIC Report (Ebonyi State) – The David Umahi Federal University Health Science, Uburu (DUFUHS), Ebonyi State has commenced diagnosis for free treatment of patients with respiratory diseases in Abakaliki rice mill limited.
The university said it has made arrangement for complete treatment for first 200 people diagnosed of the respiratory diseases.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Jesse Uneke disclosed this at the rice mill on during the official flag off of the Equi-Resp Africa Research Project at the rice mill featuring free screening and treatment of respiratory diseases and other health problems.
The program was organized by the Equi-Resp Africa Research Project and David Umahi Federal University Health Science, Uburu (DUFUHS) in collaboration with Institute of Child Health (ICH) Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).
Uneke said free drugs will be given to the first 200 respiratory disease patients in the rice mill that will be diagnosed and treated
He described Abakaliki rice mill as very critical to the state and Nigeria economy, hence the health program for the rice mill operators and workers to keep them healthy.
He revealed that the Equi-Resp Africa Research Project was also monitoring the air quality in the rice mill apart from the free screening and treatment for the respiratory disease patients in the mill.
The Vice Chancellor said the air quality monitors determine the level of risk associated with the rice mill industry. He explained that the project was generating evidence that government ministries can use to formulate policies that are context specific and policies that can address peculiar health challenges as far as the rice mill is concerned.
The Director, Institute of Child Health (ICH), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Professor Techla Ezeonu said many people in the rice mill have suffered one form of respiratory diseases or the other which necessitated the health program in the mill. We have the intention to bring about equitable healthcare or access to healthcare, we felt that it is important that we reach out to the people of the rice mill community.
BAKARE LAURETTA
HOC FIC ABAKALIKI
5/3/2026
