OIUSA Rural Community Medical-Surgical Mission

Ogbakor Ikwerre USA & Canada Inc. (OIUSA/Canada) completed a successful medical/surgical mission from October 13th to 17th, 2025. The host community was Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, and the venue was at Bishop Elenwo Memorial Hospital, Rumuobiokani, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.

In collaboration with various health-providing teams, Ogbakor Ikwerre USA & Canada Inc. treated about 13,292 individual patients in five days. These patients were all registered, screened, triaged, and received treatments at different departments. 

GENERAL SURGERY:

The Medical and Surgical Mission achieved exceptional surgical outcomes through a combination of technical expertise, comprehensive planning, and strong collaborative partnerships. The mission successfully:

• Treated 132 surgical patients with 100% successful surgical completion
• Provided 175-200 specialized consultations
• Delivered 198 million in surgical services to underserved populations
• Demonstrated surgical best practices in infection control and safety
• Managed all complications successfully with zero mortality
• Responded to emergency surgical situations effectively
• Built local capacity through collaboration and knowledge transfer

The mission exemplifies OIUSA/Canada’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality surgical care to underserved communities and represents a significant stride toward addressing surgical disparities in Nigeria.

EYE SURGERY:

The program was aimed at reducing the burden of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by providing free eye care services, including refraction, prescription dispensing, and surgical interventions.

 The eye surgery outreach comprised two main sections:

• Optometry and Opticianry Section — responsible for outpatient case review, refraction, and spectacle dispensing.

• Surgical Section — focused on cataract and pterygium surgeries.

 Optometry and Opticianry Section:

The optometry team reviewed patients, conducted refractions, and issued prescription-specific glasses, while the optician dispensed both new and recycled frames as available.

Patients Given Prescriptions Lenses = 168

            Patients Given Readers = 432

            Patients Given Stock Frames = 19

            Patients Given Recycled Frames = 36

Total: Patients Given Glasses = 655.

Surgical Section:

The surgery team successfully conducted 146 sight-restoring surgeries over the 5-day period, comprising 120 cataract surgeries and 26 pterygium excisions.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING:

Vital breast health screenings to hundreds of attendees were provided. Total Attendees registered were 488 individuals. Clinical Breast examination and ultra-sounds performed was 488 individuals. Participants with suspected Positive Breast Scan Results were 47 individuals, while Participants referred for surgery were 40. Biopsy/Lumpectomy conducted was 20, Histology Tests conducted was 11. Age Range of Screened Individuals was between 17 to 75 years old. Average Age of Positive Cases are approximately 36 years old. The 2025 OIUSA/CANADA free medical/surgical mission in Obio/Akpor successfully identified multiple suspected breast conditions among attendees, underscoring the importance of accessible screening programs.The findings highlight the need for early detection, robust data systems, and sustained public health efforts to combat breast-related illnesses.

GENERAL MEDICINE:

Different ailments were treated. These included diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arthritis, malaria, typhoid fever, various viral and bacterial infections, respiratory problems, gastro-intestinal problems, among others. One baby was delivered through C-section. These figures included several follow-up visits for some of the patients. The residents of Obio/Akpor Local government area were overwhelmed with gratitude that their sons and daughters in the diaspora came to provide them with free health care despite the present economic realities. 

PHARMACY:

Precriptive medications, as well as over-the-counter medications, cough and cold remedies, analgesics, and supplements, were dispensed at the pharmacy by qualified pharmacist who travelled from the United States and Canada, in colloboration with local pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. All medications were provided free of charge by the mission's pharmacy. Almost all medications were purchased from the United States, except for a few that were purchased locally. 

OIUSA/Canada is immensely grateful to our donors. Your unwavering support and donation played a pivotal and major role in making the 2025 medical/surgical mission a great success. We would not have been able to extend a helping and healing hand to these patients if not for your support. Your donations/contributions have helped all the beneficiaries find hope, meaning, and renewed health. Today, all the patients are thriving in many ways they never thought possible. And these were made possible by donors like you.

Thank you!