NDDC is set to resume its Free Healthcare Programme which caters to the needs of rural communities, as part of the Commission’s commitment to enhance healthcare delivery to the people of the region.
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says it is set to resume its Free Healthcare Programme which caters to the needs of rural communities, as part of the Commission’s commitment to enhance healthcare delivery to the people of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Director for Education, Health and Social Services, Dr
George Jnr. Uzonwanne, said that all necessary arrangements had been made to put the programme back on track.
According to him “the award and procurement processes for all the medical services have been concluded and we are hoping to re-start the programme towards the end of this month or early in February.’
The Director noted: “The Free Healthcare programme used to be the flagship of the Commission Unfortunately, because of funding challenges, it was suspended for a couple of years. But I am happy and
excited to announce that it has been resuscitated by the current Board and Management of the NDDC.
‘It is a programme that the people of the Niger Delta region have been waiting for. In fact, many communities have been writing to us, requesting to have the free
healthcare programme in their localities.
The medical professionals needed for the effective implementation of the free medical outreach are already being mobilised for the programme which would cover the nine NDDC mandate states.”
Speaking on other areas of medical intervention Uzonwanne remarked that the Commission was providing support grants to the sick and indigent people
of the region. He added: “We equally support the training of healthcare workers in our health institutions.
He stated: “One of the health programmes that has takenna life of its own is the medical assistance programme where we have been treating people, whose ailments
could not be handled in the free medical programme or where the affected individuals cannot afford the medical
bills.
“In the past, we worked with the private sector, but we are now considering working with government hospitals as
well. The whole essence of our intervention in healthcare is to treat indigent people who cannot afford basic
healthcare.”
Uzonwanne said further: “This is one of the intangible and unreported programmes that we undertake in the
health sector. We have treated thousands of people but we cannot share people’s healthcare histories or private affairs in the media.
Consequently, we don’t get the kind
of kudos that we deserve because we try to avoid publicity on such matters.
The NDDC Director said that the Commission was currently registering indigent people in the Niger Delta
region to enable them to have access to healthcare
Pius 0. Ughakpoteni, FIMC, CMC Director, Corporate Affairs
January 5, 2024