The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in collaboration with Vision Savers Eye Care has given free medical tests, eye surgery, glasses and drugs to about 800 Niger Deltans.
The beneficiaries were selected during a 3 day enlightenment campaign for the people of the Niger Delta region on HIV/AIDS, Roll Back Malaria, Cancer, and Eye Care at General Hospital Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, Delta state over the weekend.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs Aminu Aliyu Bisalla, said the enlightenment programme would afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to consult the doctors on communicable and non-communicable diseases, enlightenment on prevention and management of diseases.
Represented by director reforms Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs Mr Haman Ndahi, the PS said 19 communities around Kiagbodo were sensitised to participate at the health intervention programme.
He assured that the federal government was committed to reach out to more communities in the region.
“This intervention is aimed at improving the quality of health of the people in this environment and beyond.
”The Consultant of Vision Savers Eye Care, Dr Murtala Muhammed Umar while educating the people on eye care said “The eye is an organ of beauty which is essential to good heath and must be properly taken care of.”
Another doctor on general health, Dr Ajis Eleazar said, through the free medical consultations, diseases like diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell, and brain tumours could be diagnosed and treated.
He advised that people should make themselves available for such programmes.High Chief Andrew Sigana Akpasele (The Tonkepa of Ngbilebiri-Mein Kingdom), Burutu local government area of Delta state appreciated the federal government for the health out reach and called on other communities under is kingdom and neighbouring villages to embrace the programme.
The Regent also appealed to federal government to extend the kind gesture to the riverine areas who may find it difficult to reach Kiagbodo to benefit from the programme.
One of the beneficiaries, a retired civil servant, Elder Johnson Ogberekoko said, “I am so happy, it was a great experience I just received my free drugs, and free eye glasses. I appreciate the federal government for this good gesture to our people.”
The ministry also organised a similar out reach programme at Nko in Yakurr local government area of Cross River state last week.
According to deputy director of press, Stephen Kilebi, plans are on to take the programme to other communities in the Niger Delta region.
