The Bayelsa State Government has embarked on free medical outreaches to two communities in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Newton Igwele, made this known during the outreach in Agbura and Otuokpoti Communities in Yenagoa and Ogbia local government areas respectively.
The Commissioner said the Governor Douye Diri is committed to providing quality healthcare services to residents of the state.He noted that the outreach programme to both communities affected by recent oil spills, was the government’s way of alleviating their suffering.
The Commissioner who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr. Appah Williams, also used the opportunity to call on Bayelsans to recieve the COVID-19 vaccine and not pay attention to myths and rumours circulating on social media, saying it is safe and effective.
He said, “This is a medical outreach holding in Agbura and is being organized by the state government through the Ministry of Health. It is meant to reach out to people in this locality.
“It is part of the Prosperity administration’s mantra to deliver quality health care to the people of the state and the Governor is very interested in the wellbeing of the people in the community.
“When news filtered in that there was oil spillage around, the Governor said let us see what we can do to assist this community. We also have COVID-19 vaccines available.
“For those interested in testing for COVID-19, we also brought a testing stand. We are also holding the same activities in Otuokpoti as well,” Dr. Igwele stated.
A medical practitioner, Dr. Apapa Onisowuiun, in his remarks, appealed to residents to take advantage of the free medical outreach by knowing their health status and recieving treatment in case they had health challenges.
He advised them to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face-masks and social distancing.
Beneficiaries from both communities expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Commissioner for Health for bringing much needed medical care to them.
The Financial Secretary of the Community Development Committee (CDC) Otuopkoti, Mr. Godgift Aboki described the outreach as a welcome development and hoped for more of such, saying it has saved them the cost of going to Yenagoa for treatment.
An indegene of Agbura Community, Blessing Nengite praised the efforts of the government to ease their burden of accessing quality healthcare and appealed for it to be extended to other communities.
Medical services were rendered to over 500 people and included eye and dental care, tests for hypertension and diabetes, deworming of children, malaria treatment among others.
