Healthcare: NDDC Assures On Free Services In N’Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed her determination to provide quality healthcare services to the Niger Delta Region of the country, in accordance with to the mandate given her by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, who stated this at the flag-off ceremony of the NDDC/Pro-Health International free healthcare programme at the Awa Iman Comprehensive Health Centre in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, explained that this will keep the people healthy and enable them reap the enormous wealth of the region.

Ugwoha, who spoke through Dr. George Uzor-Nwanne disclosed that over one million people have benefited from the free healthcare programme since it started about eight years ago.

Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, who performed the official flag-off ceremony, commended the  NDDC, for providing qualitative healthcare services to the people of the Niger Delta region.

She thanked the NDDC for joining forces with the widow of late Dr. Clement Isong, former Governor of Cross River State and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, in providing free healthcare services to the people of Onna Local Government Area and its environs to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of the Elder statesman who hailed from the area.

Mrs. Akpabio, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Mbosowo Ekpotu, called on the people of Awa Iman to use the one week opportunity  provided by the  exercise to ensure that their medical needs are met.

 She implored NDDC to extend the  programme to the rest of the 31 Local Government Areas of the State and pledged the state’s readiness to support and partner with NDDC in executing their mandate.

Also speaking, the Director of Pro-Health International, Dr. Iko Ibanga said, at the end of the week-long free healthcare programme, the mission is expected to treat over 4,000 patients and perform over 100 surgical operations, depending on the rate of acceptance of the exercise by the people of the area.

Tonye Nria-Dappa