The federal government has unveiled plans to establish integrated medical centers in communities across the Niger Delta area.

The government said when established, the centers would give people at the grassroots access to basic and critical modern healthcare services.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon, said that “the outreach was an expression of the Ministry’s mandate and aspiration to improve the human development indices of people in the region.”

Branded Integrated Medical Outreach 2022, Engr. Adebiyi explained that the Ministry “is taking positive steps to respond to healthcare needs and other development issues in the region to drive Federal Government’s initiatives that would make lives of the people better in the region.

We have also approved this programme in four local governments in this state and we will be approving more of such not only for this state but other states in the Niger Delta region.”

“We are working hard to reach out to the grassroots. We’re making another promise that we will try to provide a medical center for this community so that this community will have at least regular basic medical services,” he added.

The permanent secretary however acknowledged some of the challenges facing the outreach programme such as staffing shortages, and explained that those limitations were imposed by funding constraint.

The Director, Community Development and Education (CDE) at the Ministry, Adamu Sabo, listed the contributions made by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), to the overall plan for the outreach programme.

He said that healthcare professionals used for the programme were seconded by the state ministry of health, and by the NPHDA.

Sabo further revealed that more than 1000 people have received help for various medical conditions, including surgeries and eye care, since the programme began. (Sunday Independent)