Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining her annual free medical outreach regardless of whether she holds public office. The Onyejeocha free healthcare programme has now reached its 19th consecutive year, providing medical consultations, surgeries and other essential healthcare services to residents of Abia State.
Speaking at the opening of the Umunneochi phase of the outreach at the Madam Suzanna Mba Health Centre in Isuochi, Onyejeocha said her humanitarian work stems from personal values rooted in faith and family rather than political ambition.
She explained that her desire to help vulnerable people has remained unchanged throughout her public service career and will continue in the years ahead.
Faith and family inspire lifelong medical outreach
According to Onyejeocha, her late grandmother shaped her commitment to compassion, discipline and service to humanity. She said those childhood lessons continue to guide her decisions and inspire the outreach programme.
She stressed that her motivation has never been political.
“What God said to me is that I should go and represent Him, and I will do what He sent me to do. If He says I have to take care of His people, then I have to take care of His people,” she said.
The former minister encouraged young Nigerians to respect their parents and uphold moral values. She recalled how her grandmother combined spiritual guidance with practical lessons on caring for the less privileged.
She said those experiences became the foundation of the Onyejeocha free healthcare initiative.
Medical centre built to support community healthcare
Onyejeocha revealed that she established the Madam Suzanna Mba Health Centre after becoming dissatisfied with the growing politicisation of healthcare delivery.
She acquired the property and completed construction within six months before naming the facility after her grandmother.
She maintained that the project reflects a personal covenant rather than a political investment.
“This is not a government health centre. It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with my covenant with my family and my God,” she said.
She also noted that the health centre continues to serve residents beyond the annual outreach programme.
Outreach remains open to all residents
Onyejeocha instructed doctors, nurses and other health workers participating in the programme to treat every patient equally.
She warned against discrimination based on political affiliation and insisted that healthcare should remain accessible to everyone.
“It is free for everyone, whether you belong to the APC, LP, PDP or ZLP. I represent everybody, and we all serve one God,” she said.
She reminded volunteers that illness does not recognise political parties and urged them to focus on saving lives instead of political differences.
The former minister also assured residents that every registered patient would receive treatment before the outreach concludes on Thursday.
She said doctors provide medical care, but ultimate healing comes from God.
Community leaders praise Onyejeocha free healthcare programme
Labour Party chieftain Ike Opigwe described the programme as evidence that genuine community service can outlive political appointments.
He said the outreach has continued uninterrupted whether Onyejeocha served in government or not.
Community leader Bethel Eze also commended the initiative, describing access to quality healthcare as an important measure of community development.
He noted that the annual outreach has improved healthcare access for residents of Isuikwuato, Umunneochi and neighbouring communities by providing free consultations, surgeries and medical support.
The organisers expect hundreds of beneficiaries to receive treatment before the programme ends on July 30.
The continued expansion of the Onyejeocha free healthcare initiative highlights the growing role of community-driven healthcare programmes in complementing Nigeria’s public health system while improving access to essential medical services for underserved populations.
