After a four-year hiatus, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has recommenced its free medical mission in Oguta, Imo State, with a goal of providing medical treatment to a minimum of 3000 individuals.
The week-long initiative, which commenced over the weekend at the Arthur Nzeribe General Hospital, is aimed at bringing relief to residents of the Niger Delta region who lack access to modern healthcare facilities.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, highlighted that the program has already benefitted over two million Niger Deltans since its inception in 2019, addressing a spectrum of medical needs from minor consultations to major surgeries.
Representing Dr. Ogbuku, Dr. George Uzonwanne, the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, underscored the significance of investing in healthcare to foster sustainable development within the region.
“The first intervention until the free health mission was suspended in 2019, over two million Niger Deltans, who had little or no access to modern health facilities, were treated of all sorts of ailments,” he noted.
He elaborated that the services provided encompassed a broad spectrum, extending from basic consultations for ailments like malaria or upper respiratory tract infections to significant interventions such as fibroid surgeries, intraocular lens implantation for eye surgeries, dental procedures, and maxillofacial repairs.
Highlighting the imperative nature of addressing social infrastructure needs, the managing director emphasized that the NDDC’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the Niger Delta region necessitates attention to areas like education, health, and sanitation.
