No fewer than 3,500 persons have been slated to benefit from a free five-day medical mission in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.
The medical mission is being sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with aim of providing healthcare services to medically underserved rural communities in the region.
The Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbudu, said that the medical mission, which had already taken place in eight states of the region, had seen to the treatment of over two million people in Niger Delta.
Represented by Dr Eme Inyangabia, Assistant Director, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), he said the mission was the flagship of the Commission, serving to endear NDDC to the medically needy communities.
“The medical mission is one of several health programmes of the Commission, targeted at changing the health situation and narrative of our people in the region.
“It is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 3 which aspires to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure health and well-being for all,” he stated.
Similarly, the Executive Director, EHSS of the Commission, Dr George Uzonwanne, said they were looking at 12,000 to 15,000 data points as a particular patient may be treated on more than one ailment.
‘‘We are carrying out a one-week short term intervention free of charge to the people of Cross River State.
‘‘We are looking at treating 3,000 to 3,500 patients but not really the number of patients but the number of data points because one patient may have more than three interventions.
‘‘So, we are looking at between 12,000 to 15,000 data points.
‘‘Treatments will range from things like malaria to things as complex as having fibroid surgery or general surgery,’’ he said.
Uzonwanne added that a team would be on standby to look after patients before they were discharged and others with more severe ailments would be treated by the commission in a referral hospital. (NAN)
By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
