Abia: 2,000 Patients Benefit From NDDC’s Free Healthcare Mission.

The first phase of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) Free Health Medical Outreach, held at the Ukwa General Hospital, Oke Ikpe in Abia State’s Ukwa West Local Government Area, benefited over 2,000 patients.

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

According to a press statement issued by Pius Ughakpoteni, Director, Corporate Affairs, Ogbuku, who was represented by Chief Eruba Dimgba, the Abia State representative on the NDDC Board, the medical outreach programme aimed to change the health situation and narrative of the region’s medically underserved people.

He stated that the programme had recently been the Commission’s flagship, serving to endear the Commission to these medically needy communities, with documented evidence and testimonies abounding of its beneficial impact in improving the quality of life of the Region’s rural poor.

“The goal of the programme, which is being carried out 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 that are caused by the current high costs of healthcare services in the midst of a weakened health system and infrastructure.”

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stated that the Commission, as an interventionist agency, had championed good health as an essential component of successfully carrying out its mandate of facilitating the Niger Delta Region’s sustainable development.

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

In his remarks, Prince Azubike Nwubani, NDDC Director, Abia State Office, praised the Commission’s current leadership for providing a platform through which people’s healthcare needs could be addressed. He urged the people of Ukwa West and other surrounding communities to take advantage of the medical services.

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

He thanked the NDDC for the gesture and encouraged state residents to take advantage of the medical services.

In a goodwill message, Eze Chinyere Dike, Chairman of the Ukwa Council of Traditional Rulers, thanked the NDDC for the free health programme. He did, however, note that the programme’s one-week duration was insufficient to accommodate all of the patients who desired medical intervention.

Dr Francis Onojeta, project coordinator for Derums Global Services, congratulated the NDDC on “relaunching this people-oriented project. I hope that future boards will continue and improve 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; Otu 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