Gbelegbu community in Edo State came alive with gratitude as residents benefitted from a free medical outreach organized to mark the one-year memorial of the late Pa Aaron Ponuwei Ebelo.
The outreach, hosted under the Aaron Ponuwei Ebelo Foundation, was championed by his son, Goodluck Ebelo, as a continuation of his father’s enduring legacy of service and compassion for his people.
The intervention featured general medical consultations, screenings, health education, counseling, and follow-up referrals. Over 45 individuals received free reading and sight-correction glasses, while many others were given prescription medications following diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Goodluck Ebelo said the outreach was a tangible expression of the Foundation’s mission to promote healthcare equity and bridge service gaps in underserved communities.
“This event is not only about keeping our father’s memory alive; it is about embodying the values he stood for lifting the community through service and compassion.
“His legacy lives on in every life touched through the Foundation’s efforts. As the saying goes the community never forgets.”he said.
Lead medical volunteer, Dr. Ugonna Nwigwe, described the outreach as a timely intervention in a country where rural healthcare remains a critical challenge.
“Over 70% of Nigeria’s rural population lacks regular access to basic health services. Initiatives like this are essential to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially in areas often ignored in national healthcare planning,” she noted.
Dr. Nwigwe also called for the introduction of a community-based health insurance scheme to provide residents with sustainable, affordable access to health services a move she said would help build a more resilient health system in the area.
The outreach was powered by a team of passionate, youth-led medical volunteers whose professionalism and empathy earned praise from residents.
Several beneficiaries applauded the initiative, described it as consistent with the late Pa Aaron Ebelo’s lifetime of generosity, philanthropy, and community service.
