Over 2,000 patients have benefitted from the first phase of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Free Health Medical Outreach holding at the Ukwa General Hospital, Oke Ikpe in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

Speaking at the week-long free healthcare programme, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the free healthcare mission was organised in partnership with Derums Global Services to bring healthcare to rural communities across the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the Abia State representative on the NDDC Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, said the medical outreach programme was targeted at changing the health situation and narrative of the medically underserved people in the Region.

He remarked: “The program had in the recent past, been the flagship of the Commission, serving to endear the Commission to these medically needy communities, with documented evidence and testimonies, abounding of their beneficial impact in enhancing the quality of life of the rural poor in the Region.

“The objective of the programme undertaken, in collaboration with various healthcare organisations, is to ensure access to good healthcare services by removing financial barriers to accessing good and qualitative healthcare services, posed by the prevailing high costs of healthcare services in the midst of a weakened Health system and infrastructure.”

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer said that as an interventionist agency, the Commission had championed good health as being integral to the successful realisation of its mandate in facilitating the sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region.

According to him: “This is in line with the position adopted by Mr. President during the commemoration of the 2023 World Universal Health Coverage Day with the Theme: Health for All, Time for Action, where he emphasized the import of placing health and social well -being of Nigerians as a key part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Director, Abia State office, Prince Azubike Nwubani, commended the current leadership of the Commission for providing a platform through which the healthcare needs of the people could be addressed. He urged the people of Ukwa West and other neighbouring communities to avail themselves of the medical services.

The Chief Medical Director, Ukwa General Hospital, Dr Dennis Nwogwu, commended the NDDC for providing a platform through which the healthcare needs of the people could be addressed.

He thanked the NDDC for the gesture and charged residents of the state to avail themselves of the medical services.

Giving a goodwill message, the Chairman, Ukwa Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chinyere Dike, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for the free health programme. He noted, however, that the one-week duration for the programme was not enough to take care of all the numerous patients desirous of the medical intervention.

The project Coordinator of Derums Global Services, Dr Francis Onojeta, congratulated the NDDC “for relaunching this people-oriented project. It is my hope that future boards will continue and improve on the programme.”

The free medical outreach had taken place in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State; Oguta in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State; Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State; Otuasega in Ogbia Local Government Area and in Yenagoa, Yenagoa Local Government Area, in Bayelsa State; Out Jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State; Ogu in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State; Igbokoda in Igbokoda Local Government Area of Ondo State and the General Hospital, Akamkpa in Cross River State.

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