A total of 2,000 patients have benefitted from the first phase of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Free Health Medical Outreach held at the Ukwa General Hospital, Oke Ikpe, in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State.
In a statement issued by the director of corporate affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, the NDDC managing director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, noted that the free healthcare mission was organised in partnership with Derums Global Services to bring healthcare to rural communities across the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku, represented by the Abia State representative on the NDDC Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, emphasized that the medical outreach programme aimed to transform the health situation of medically underserved people in the region.
He remarked, “The programme has recently been the flagship of the Commission, serving to endear the Commission to these medically needy communities, with documented evidence and testimonies abounding of their beneficial impact in enhancing the quality of life of the rural poor in the Region.
“The programme’s objective, undertaken in collaboration with various healthcare organisations, is to ensure access to good healthcare services by removing financial barriers posed by the high costs of healthcare services amidst a weakened health system and infrastructure.”
He reiterated NDDC’s commitment to sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, assuring that the Commission would follow up on discussions to ensure tangible outcomes.
Ogbuku added, “It was a worthwhile engagement, and we concluded discussions on a wide range of prospects that will yield benefits to the Niger Delta region in no distant time.
“The four-day event attracted over two thousand delegates, including national and sub-national governments from across Africa and the Caribbean, political leaders, institutions, and corporate organisations.”
Senator Asuquo Ekenyong, the Senate Committee chairman on NDDC, and Mr Timi Alaibe, the former managing director of the NDDC, were among the attendees.