July 19, (THEWILL) – Over 3,000 indigenes and non indigenes of Bayelsa state have benefited from the medical outreach organised by the State’s Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs)
The outreach is aimed at improving the well-being of people in the three senatorial districts of Bayelsa state.
The beneficiaries received free medical care from medical professionals including surgeons and pharmacists, who provided services like screening for hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Covid-19 and vaccination, as well as surgeries.
The medical outreach which kicked-off at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in Bayelsa Central on Tuesday, 12th July, 2022, berthed at Sagbama town in the West Senatorial district and climaxed at Ogbolomabiri, in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa East Senatorial District on Saturday.
The event witnessed dental care, eye test and free eye glasses, wheelchairs and crutches for those with disabilities.
Speaking with newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Ebiwari Wariowei, said the essence of the medical outreach was to provide immediate critical healthcare to the people of the state.
According to Dr Wariowei, the programme was also organised to ensure the people in the various communities are healthy, in line with the maxim “health is wealth”, as it is only healthy citizens that can go about with veritable ventures.
“We are undertaking minor surgeries like the one for hernia, eye test, dental care, HIV/AIDS testing, typhoid, malaria and many more. This is to give them primary health care and we must say thank you to the Governor for always prioritising the health and well-being of our people.”
While thanking the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for approving funds for the health intervention programme, the SSA on SDGs emphasised that the agency remains a key vision driver of the Prosperity Agenda of the governor.
Dr Wariowei, who himself underwent dental care, eye test, and presented some wheelchairs and crutches to physically challenged persons, visited the theatre room to encourage patients undergoing surgery for hernia.
The Health Desk Officer at the Bayelsa SDGs Office, Dr Lily Appah, expressed delight that the people in the three senatorial districts turned out en masse to take advantage of the services offered by the medical team.
“We are really happy that people came out, starting from the first day at Sampou and Sagbama Town and now Ogbolomabiri, the turnout has been massive and we can see joy palpitating in the faces and hearts of the people we have impacted. A lot of people have really benefited and we are grateful to the miracle governor and SSA on SDGs.”
She thanked the medical team for carrying out their task professionally and urged the people to expect more health interventions in the coming days as the Bayelsa SDGs Office is committed to impacting lives.
A beneficiary, Mrs Ebiotu Kwesi, a retiree, said though she lives in Ughelli in Delta state, on hearing the announcement on radio, she quickly travelled to Sampou to receive free medical care.
“I’m very pleased and happy about this free medical care packaged by the state government and the SDGs Office. The treatment is good and l want it to be sustained.”
The paramount ruler of Sagbama Federated Communities, Chief Magbisa Moses-Ojo, said most health facilities in the local areas are not performing optimally and expressed joy that the government has brought succour through the SDGs intervention in health.
“The government has remembered the poor by organising this medical outreach. Some of us can’t go to the hospital and when we do, there are no drugs for us. And so this is a welcome development. It is a means to rescue us, God bless the Governor”, he concluded.
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