Beneficiaries of a five-day free medical check-up and eye surgery programme organised by the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, have praised the initiative for supporting people at the grassroots.
More than 2,000 people from communities within and outside the state benefitted from the programme.
The intervention, powered by Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, follows similar initiatives by the Foundation over the past three years, including funding support for 30 women entrepreneurs, free medical support for 200 sickle cell patients, and assistance for students to develop technical skills.
One of the beneficiaries, Chief Victoria Eguene from Gbaramatu Kingdom, commended the Foundation for providing free medical treatment to residents.
She said, “We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Foundation for giving us hope through the treatments we have received over these five days. I particularly thank the founder, Dr Esther Tonlagha, for her humanitarian nature, from which many of us are now benefitting.”
Another participant, an artisan living with high blood pressure, Mr Jayman Jemi, also shared his experience.
“I have been managing high blood pressure for over five years without relief. However, after the check-up here and the support the EMT Foundation has promised, I now have strong hope for improvement.
“My friends had told me about the Foundation’s support for people in the state. My experience here confirms that mummy Tonlagha is a mother to many, giving her best through the organisation to support those in need,” he said.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the founder of the Foundation, Dr Esther Matthew Tonlagha, said the programme was designed to support people facing health challenges who lack access to treatment due to cost and other constraints.
She explained that the initiative aimed to reduce the health risks associated with untreated conditions, which could limit individuals’ ability to contribute to society.
“We are pleased that this programme, which aligns with the core mission of our Foundation, has brought hope to nearly 2,000 registered beneficiaries. Our work is guided by three pillars—empowerment, access and sustainability—focused on supporting vulnerable groups at state and national levels. From my interactions with participants, I am confident the programme has achieved its purpose,” she said.
Tonlagha called on governments and development partners to strengthen collaboration in improving primary healthcare in rural communities through technical and financial support.
Over the years, the Foundation has remained committed to its focus on empowerment, access and sustainability. Its programmes aim to equip individuals with practical skills, expand access to opportunities, and ensure that its interventions deliver lasting benefits for communities.
