Women living with fibroids in Anambra State have received a major healthcare boost as the state government officially commenced free fibroid surgeries under a special medical outreach initiated to improve access to life changing treatment for residents.
The programme, launched at Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital in Njikoka Local Government Area, is part of a wider healthcare intervention organised by the Friends of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to celebrate the birthdays of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare while expanding access to quality medical services across the state.
The medical outreach offers free myomectomy procedures for women diagnosed with uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. It also includes other surgical interventions at selected government hospitals, giving many patients the opportunity to receive treatment that would otherwise be beyond their financial reach.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise, the Chief Medical Officer of Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, Dr Dozie Udeolisa, described the programme as a life changing intervention for women who had lived with severe pain and complications because they could not afford surgery.
According to him, fibroid surgery remains one of the most expensive procedures for many Nigerian families, forcing countless women to postpone treatment despite worsening symptoms. He noted that the free healthcare initiative removes that financial barrier and allows eligible women to undergo surgery without paying medical bills.
Dr Udeolisa explained that beneficiaries were screened before being admitted for surgery to ensure they met the medical requirements for the operation. He added that experienced surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other healthcare professionals had been deployed to guarantee safe and successful procedures.
He also stressed that the duration of each surgery depends on the patient’s condition, as every case presents unique medical challenges requiring individualized care.
The response from residents has been encouraging, with many women who had delayed treatment due to financial hardship now taking advantage of the programme. Hospital officials reported a steady turnout of beneficiaries eager to receive quality healthcare free of charge.
Beyond fibroid surgeries, the outreach includes several other free medical services designed to improve public health across Anambra State. These include free cataract surgeries and glaucoma screening at the Anambra State Specialist Eye Centre in Nise, as well as free hernia surgeries at General Hospital, Umueri. Residents are also receiving consultations, screenings and follow-up medical care during the exercise.
Dr Udeolisa praised Governor Soludo and the Friends of the Governor for supporting the programme, describing it as a practical demonstration of compassionate leadership and a commitment to improving healthcare delivery for ordinary citizens.
He encouraged eligible residents to make use of the opportunity, assuring them that all services under the outreach are completely free and handled by qualified healthcare professionals.
The latest initiative complements several healthcare reforms introduced by the Soludo administration over the past three years. These include free antenatal care and delivery services in public hospitals, free hypertension screening across government health facilities and investments in strengthening maternal and primary healthcare services throughout the state.
Health experts say uterine fibroids affect a significant number of women of reproductive age and can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, frequent urination, infertility and pregnancy complications. While some fibroids can be managed with medication, many patients eventually require surgery, making initiatives that eliminate treatment costs especially valuable for low income families.
Public health advocates have welcomed the programme, noting that financial barriers remain one of the biggest reasons many women delay seeking treatment. They believe free surgical interventions such as this can help reduce preventable complications while improving women’s overall quality of life.
As the medical outreach continues across designated hospitals, the Anambra State Government hopes the programme will enable more women to access timely treatment and reinforce its broader commitment to making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible for every resident.
