Wife of Delta State governor and founder of O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, has flagged off a three-day free medical outreach in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speaking during the ceremony in Koko, Dame Okowa, who was represented by the wife of the acting Governor, Deaconess Ebierin Otuaro, stated that Warri North was the 21st Local Government Area that the team would be visiting since the outreach commenced in the state.
She disclosed that through funding by well meaning individuals in the state and beyond as well as the collaborative effort of the state government, Federal Ministry of Heath and Restore Sight Africa Initiative, free medical care had been brought to their doorsteps.
She urged residents in the local government to come out enmasse during the three-day period of the programme and receive adequate medical attention for their various health issues.
On his part, the chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, Aduge Okorodudu, thanked the wife of the governor for the gesture and commended her passion and drive for sustaining the health for the vulnerable in the state and the Local government.
Dr Ernest Ogbedo, the coordinator, Restore Sight Africa Initiative, disclosed that 21,025 persons had, so far, registered for the programme, and that 11, 770 persons had undergone eye operations.
He further disclosed that 12, 260 glasses had been issued out while 7,000 eye drops given and 7,000 drugs dispensed.
He thanked the people for the warm reception given the team and called on them to always support the state governor in moving the state forward through his people-friendly policies and developmental projects.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Hospital Management Board, Dr Akpoufuoma Pemu, said that the outreach was placing more emphasis on the treatment of eye problems in the LGA and that doctors were readily available to attend to other health problems within the period.
He remarked that the state governor had already started the rehabilitation of some health centres in Ogheye, Tisum, Opuama in the LGA, and that others would be attended to soon.
The director general of the O5 Initiative and wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Kevwe Agas, thanked the people for their support, stating that the LGA would record medical testimonies during the period of the outreach.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the declaration of the outreach open by the wife of the governor, where children from 0-5 years of age were immunised, and soya bean milk, as well as mosquito nets distributed to their mothers.
Dignitaries present included wife of the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, wife of the Chief Judge of the state, Commissioner for women Affairs, Rev. Omashola Williams, representative of the Olu of Warri, Chief Teshola, Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Sunny Abilo, Secretary to the Local Government Council, Mr Victor German, Leader of Warri North Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon Jolomi Esiategiwa , Head of Personnel Management, Mr. Douglas Akambe and wife of the Warri North Local Government Council, Mrs Tracy Eyewumi Okorodudu.
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