The Ebonyi State Government, under Governor Francis Nwifuru, has flagged off a landmark health initiative providing free telescopic prostate screening, surgery, and treatment for residents.
The month-long program commenced at the Ezzamgbo General Hospital in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, drawing hundreds of men for medical testing. Patients diagnosed with severe prostate conditions will receive fully government-sponsored surgeries.
Speaking at the flag off, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, noted that this is the state's first health intervention specifically tailored for men, balancing prior initiatives that focused heavily on women and children. He stated that the program aligns with the administration's broader healthcare agenda, which includes upgrading medical equipment, expanding insurance, and recruiting personnel.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, added that state health insurance coverage has also been expanded to protect vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, sickle cell patients, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
Highlighting the financial relief for citizens, the Medical Officer of Ezzamgbo General Hospital, Dr. Ifeanyi Edeaja, revealed that preliminary tests valued between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000, as well as telescopic surgeries—which normally cost about ₦2 million—are being provided entirely free of charge. He stressed further that the hospital has already successfully executed eight surgeries with zero complications.
Dr. Edeaja also noted that the hospital’s monthly outpatient capacity has surged from under 60 patients to over 500.
Urging community participation, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health, Dr. Sabinus Nwibo, called on men to abandon poor health-seeking habits and embrace regular check-ups, warning that ignoring prostate conditions could be life-threatening. The initiative aims to screen and treat over 1,000 patients this month.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor David Umahi Federal University, Uburu,(DUFUTH) Prof Jesse Uneke urged men to embrace regular medical check-ups, stressing that early detection could prevent complications and eventual deaths.
On his part, the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, sct. Eze Paul Ituma, described the exercise as a landmark programme demonstrating the governor’s commitment to taking healthcare to the grassroots.
He urged men of Ohaukwu LGA, particularly those above 40 years, to take advantage of the free screening and surgery opportunity and to prioritize their health. He assured the medical team of the full support and cooperation of Ohaukwu LGA to ensure the success of the programme.
He assured the hospital management that his administration will address the water and sewage issues raised, noting that he is fully prepared to step down the People's charter of needs mantra of Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration to all nooks and crannies of Ohaukwu.
Ituma, enjoined his people utilize fully, the health intervention of the governor for their own good.
In a testimony, one of the beneficiaries, John Ogbonna, who said he had battled a prostate condition since 2013, expressed gratitude to the governor for the free intervention.
He described Nwifuru as “the best governor,” saying the intervention had given him an opportunity to overcome a condition that had severely affected his ability to urinate.
The free prostrate screening and surgery which began on October 5th is expected to close on November 5th, 2026. According to the initiator of the program, Dr Ifeanyi Edeaja, revealed that they recorded over 200 people on the first day of the program, urging others with prostrate issues to make themselves available as the governor of the state has paid for the screening, and surgery of about 50 persons and treatment of one thousand (1,0000) others.
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