The people of Delta State have been called upon to key into the state government’s 2011 Free Rural Health Programme in the state.

The field coordinator of the scheme, Dr. Ojodume Okugini made the call in Olomoro, one of the centres in Isoko South Local Government Area.

Assessing the programme since its flag-off, Dr Okugini confirmed that the response had been tremendous because of the awareness campaign on the programme.

Dr  Okugini while emphasising the absolutely free nature of the scheme since its inception encouraged the sick and needy who before now could not access health services to come out in their numbers and benefit.

At Olomoro and Idheze centres both in Isoko South, over 300 patients were registered with some diagnosed with surgical cases and referred to the Oleh Central Hospital for surgeries, while milder cases were treated at all the centres by the medical teams.

Children below one year of age were also immunised against the 8 deadly diseases at the immunisation units at both the Olomoro and Idheze centres.

At the Oleh Central Hospital, consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the zonal medical director, Isoko zone, Dr Omoghene Agadas revealed that the Central Hospital would handle surgical cases.

He listed Hernia, Fibroid, Hydrocele, Ophtalmic and Dental as some of the surgical cases the hospital would handle.

Meanwhile, siblings Joyce and Nicholas Ekrika from Bomadi town and an eighty year old mama, Ekuefebe Akporu from Oviore, Ethiope East had their cataract surgery done at the Central Hospital, Oleh.

The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for the free health stride.

Meanwhile, great celebrations were exhibited as one Mrs. Okpoto with total blindness and several others regained their sight as the free rural health programme progresses.

A team of Ophthalmologists who made this a reality at the Central Hospital, Warri  confirmed the case of Mrs. Okpoto and others as Cataract.

Mrs. Mary Okpoto from Otor- Iyede in Isoko North revealed that she was completely blind for well over two years.

In a mood of ecstasy, she expressed great thanks to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the free health care, pointing out that it is one of his many ways of achieving the human capital development goal.

Similarly, Mr. Philip Oviro- Oke from Okpe and Mrs. Victoria Jesse both had their over two years cataract cases successfully operated.

The daughter- in law of Mama Charity Jesse urged private individuals and groups to emulate the scheme.

Also at the Ekete and Oghjor centres both in Udu Local Government Area, the Medical Teams were on ground performing their routine duties of referring surgical cases after laboratory tests and treating medical illnesses.

Mrs. Grace Igho, a seventy- five year old woman from Iyede in Isoko South and a seventeen year old Stella Omowho from Onwvia both had their severely aching teeth extracted at the Ekete centre.

A forty- four year old Mrs. Felicia Omadide from Orerokpe suffering from Kelloids which she said started as chicken pox was referred to Warri central hospital for surgical attention.

The free rural health scheme, an interventionist health programme by Delta State Government continues till January 21, 2012 as it is designed to cover one hundred communities in the 25 Local Government Areas of the states.