The federal government has assured the people of Niger
Delta region of its preparedness to accord priority attention to the healthcare
of the citizens of the region.
The Minister of State for Ministry of Niger Delta
Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy
visit to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in Owerri, the state
capital.
Speaking with the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid
Njoku, who represented the governor, the
minister said the purpose of the visit was to provide medical outreach and enlightenment
campaign for women/youths on HIV/AIDS to the people of Mmabu, Ohaji/Egbema
Local Government Area of Imo State.
A statement issued by the Head (Press and Public
Relation) in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Deworitshe Patricia, quoted
the minister as saying that the enlightenment programme organised by the
ministry in collaboration with the health care mission was specifically
designed to address pressing health issues of the rural communities.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari's administration
was concerned about the welfare of the people of the region, and would like to restate the federal
government desire to ensure that the people of the region enjoy basic
healthcare, adding that the federal government has made healthcare a priority
in its developmental plans for the region.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of
the ministry, Olusade Adesola, represented by the Director, Community
Development and Education, Mrs. Lauren Briade, said the health intervention
plan was in line with the federal government Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for member nations to
commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1; World Malaria Day on April 25, and World Cancer Day on February 4 annually.
According to the Adesola, these days are marked to
create awareness about the disease and provide professional advice and
information on the prevention and treatable measures to the people.
He noted that the ministry's medical outreach
programme was designed with dimensional objectives to bring healthcare services
to the door steps of the people of the Niger Delta region and also provide free
consultations, drugs/ medications and referrals where necessary.
In his remarks the Imo State Deputy Governor, Njoku,
expressed his gratitude to the president
for his great concern for the happenings and the people of the Niger Delta
region, and thanked the ministry for organising an enlightenment programme for the
people of Mmahu, Ohaji/Egebma Local Government Area.
Njoku, however, pleaded with the ministry to provide
social amenities to the oil-producing communities as he is concerned about the
plight of the people, especially on the poor infrastructure in the region.
No comments:
Post a Comment