The Ashlee Momoh Foundation has brought relief to residents of Kobi-Makaranta Community in Guzape District, Abuja, through a humanitarian and free medical outreach aimed at making basic healthcare accessible to underserved communities.
The Chairperson of the foundation, Princess Ashlee Momoh, said during the outreach on Wednesday that the initiative was designed to provide residents with free medical screenings, consultations and essential medications.
The outreach, held to commemorate the 2026 World Humanitarian Day, benefited more than 200 residents, including children, women, retired military personnel and the elderly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that beneficiaries received anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics and medications for the management of high blood pressure, among other medical services.
Momoh said the foundation primarily supported vulnerable military widows and their children but had extended its humanitarian activities to members of the wider community.
She said the outreach was aimed at bringing basic healthcare services closer to residents, particularly those who faced difficulties accessing medical screenings, consultations and essential medications.
“We gather today to commemorate World Humanitarian Day, set aside globally to honour those who risk and dedicate their lives to helping others.
“But for us at the Ashlee Momoh Foundation, today is much more than a date on a calendar. It is a sacred calling.
“It is a living reflection of a promise made, a legacy kept alive, and a heart beating in service to humanity.
“When we conceptualised this health outreach for the Kobi-Makaranta community, our goal was simple yet profound: to bring healthcare, dignity, and a listening ear directly to your doorstep,” she said.
Momoh, however, identified funding as a major challenge confronting humanitarian organisations and called for increased support from individuals, corporate organisations and other partners.
“Our challenge is funding because we already have a lot of partners partnering with us, and we need more partners,” she said.
She noted that partnerships did not necessarily have to involve financial contributions, adding that organisations could support humanitarian initiatives by providing relevant services.
Dr Brenda Isekekpei, General Manager, Medical Services, Defence Health Maintenance Ltd. (DHML), urged military retirees, ex-soldiers and widows to register with DHML to access government-provided healthcare.
Isekekpei, a Consultant Public Health Physician, said registered beneficiaries could access free healthcare services at both primary and tertiary levels.
“We want to encourage them to get registered and access healthcare services. They don’t have to pay anything. It’s free,” she said.
Okoro Friday Okechukwu, Principal Administrative Officer, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the ministry was considering a cooperation agreement with the foundation to strengthen its operations.
Okechukwu said the proposed agreement could enable the foundation to access international NGOs and donor organisations, adding that a temporary permit was initially being considered.
“When they have a cooperation agreement, we can link them to international NGOs and donors that will support the operations,” he said.
Beneficiaries, including women, children, retired military personnel and the elderly, expressed gratitude to the foundation for the gesture, describing it as timely and life-saving.
Many said financial constraints had made it difficult for them to afford medical care.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Miriam Ijimafe, expressed gratitude for the outreach, saying such programmes enabled people who could not afford hospital bills to receive medical checks and medications free of charge.
