Despite the nation-wide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, since July 1, some doctors in Rivers State did not hesitate to participate in the free medical programme organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in conjunction with Golspin Health Care Foundation at Asarama Health Center in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
Flagging off the free health programme, the NDDC Managing Director, Bassey Dan-Abia, said that the program was a gift from President Goodluck Jonathan to the rural communities in the Niger Delta.
Mr Dan-Abia, who was represented by the Rivers State representative on the Governing Board of the Commission, Ephraim Etete-Owoh, said that apart from bringing good health to the people, the agency was determined to change the face of the communities with development projects.
He appealed to the people to always support NDDC and cooperate with its contractors to ensure timely and satisfactory completion of projects in their communities. He also urged contractors working for the commission to deliver quality projects for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta.
The Chief Medical Consultant and leader of the medical team, Professor Adelayo Ejele, commended the doctors who volunteered their services at a time most doctors were keeping away from government hospitals. He said that the Asarama community and their neigbours should be grateful to the NDDC for bringing the free health programme to their door-steps.
He revealed that 156 patients were screened for HIV/AIDS and only 2 persons were found to be positive. Fortunately, Ebola, he said, was not there yet. He prayed that it would never get to the region.
Speaking for the Asarama community, Chief Appolus Ewaye, noted that the health programme came at a time many people in the villages were finding it difficult to access healthcare facilities. He expressed appreciation to the NDDC for the programme.
The seven-day free medical programme, which has attracted thousands of patients in the area, would be rounded off on Saturday, August 23. Several communities in the nine Niger Delta states have benefited in the last one month.
A total of 1,479 cases were treated, including 21 surgeries, 108 dental cases and 365 laboratory investigations.
Culled from channels Tv news
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