A total of 3,500 people will benefit from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) free medical outreach organised by the NDDC in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State.
The programme tagged: “Medical Mission” is sponsored by the commission to provide healthcare services to medically underserved people in rural communities of the South-South Zone.
NDDC’s managing director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the medical mission which has taken place in eight states of the region, was attended by over two million indigent people in Niger Delta.
Represented by the assistant director of education, health and social services (EHSS), Eme Inyangabia, the NDDC boss said the mission remains a flagship of the commission, serving those in dire need of medical attention within the region.
He said, “The medical mission is one of several health programs of the Commission, targeted at changing the health situation and narrative of our people in the region.
“It is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) no 3 which aspires to achieve universal health coverage and ensure health and well-being for all”.
Also, the executive director, EHSS in the commission, Dr George Uzonwanne, said the commission’s medical team looks at 12,000 to 15,000 data points as a particular patient may be treated on more than one ailment.
“We are carrying out a one-week short-term intervention free of charge to the people of Cross River State.
“We are looking to treat 3,000 to 3,500 patients but not really the number of patients but the number of data points because one patient may have more than three interventions.
“So we are looking at between 12,000 to 15,000 data points. Treatments will range from things like malaria to things as complex as having fibroid surgery or general surgery,” he said.