Lifted Hands Inc., a U.S.-based charity organization, has successfully conducted eye surgeries on more than 50 individuals in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State as part of its 2024 medical outreach in Nigeria.
Moses Okaro, President of Lifted Hands Inc., expressed the rewarding nature of the volunteer medical mission through interactions with the local community. Okaro highlighted the joy and healing the team brought to the people, and hinted at plans to return to Nigeria in 2025 to continue their mission.
The initiative, which has been running annually for 15 years, is held in memory of Okaro’s late mother, Mrs. Gladys Okaro. The surgeries were performed at Iyi-Enu University Teaching Hospital Ogidi, which served as a referral center for patients to Lifted Hands Inc. and its medical team.
Dr. Obinna Arinze, an ophthalmologist from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, confirmed the success of all the surgeries. He noted that the mission was pleased there were no complications and explained that most patients with severe cases were kept overnight for monitoring, while others were discharged.
“It was challenging to operate on so many patients within two days, but we are grateful to God that everything ended well. Now, we will move to Abia State to continue the outreach,” Arinze said.
Pascal Obasi, one of the beneficiaries of the eye surgeries, expressed his gratitude to God and the Lifted Hands mission for restoring his failing sight. “I could not afford the surgery due to lack of funds, but this mission brought joy to my life. I traveled from Imo State to Anambra after hearing about the mission, and they accommodated me. God will bless them,” he said.
Mrs. Agnes Okafor, another patient, shared that the surgery has given her a new lease on life. “Our sons and daughters who brought this mission to Anambra from America have done great, and we are grateful,” she said.
A total of 15 medical practitioners, including surgeons and nurses from the United States, participated in the medical outreach. They were complemented by doctors and nurses from selected hospitals in Anambra to support the outreach programs.
