By Victor Lewis
Hundreds of residents of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, on Wednesday, turned out at the Council Secretariat to benefit from the ongoing free medical outreach organized by the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, in partnership with the National Health Fellows.
The exercise, which formed part of the Senator’s ongoing health intervention programme across Delta Central, featured free screenings, testing and treatment for tuberculosis, diabetes, hepatitis, hypertension, and blood sugar, as well as chest X-rays and distribution of reading glasses to persons with eye defects.
Addressing the large crowd that gathered at the venue as early as 8.00am, the Coordinator of the National Health Fellows, Onome Sandra Ugbarugba, said the team was targeting no fewer than 200 beneficiaries, stressing that early detection of ailments was key to effective treatment.
“What we will be doing here is Sugar test for diabetes, distribution of free reading glasses, people will be given medication and we will having Hapetitis testing and TB screening for those that are available.
“We shall be attending to persons not less than 200 and this is an opportunity for the people of Ughelli North to come and know their health status because early detection is very important in other to avoid complications.
“We are conducting tests for diabetes, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, as well as eye screening and distribution of free reading glasses. Medications will also be given to those who need them. This is an opportunity for residents to know their health status because early detection helps prevent complications”, she said.
A cross section of beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen at the ceremony, expressed appreciation to Senator Dafinone for bringing the medical outreach to Ughelli North.
A beneficiary, , Vice The Vice Principal of Government College, Ughelli, Mrs. Omohwo Esther, who also benefitted from the exercise, said she was impressed by the quality and scope of the services rendered.
“I heard of this free medical outreach just this morning and I grabbed the opportunity to come and be tested.
“When I got here, I saw that free reading eye glasses, Chest Xtray and a lot of things were being given for free and it was like wao.
“I want to thank the Senator Ede Dafinone for bringing this program to our people here because of you got to the hospital for just eye glass, one you know how much to spend but here it is been given for free.
“We came here to get Sugar,BP, Hapetitis, Xtray test all for free, and the reception by the medical experts was warm and wonderful.
Also expressing gratitude to the Senator, Mr. Efe Akpotor, a resident of the area, said he attended the programme due to a persistent cough, adding that he was able to undergo several tests at no cost.
“I got tested for various conditions and even received free reading glasses. I want to thank Senator Dafinone for showing concern for the health of his constituents,” he said.
Also, Mrs Onosegboma Vero who commended the senator said, “I came here purposely for diabetes and Hapetitis test and after the test and check, I was certified normal by the medical experts.
“I so much appreciate the senator who deemed it fit to bring this free medical outreach to Ughelli North and it is my prayers that God should continue to bless him.”
Mr Efe Akpotor said, “The sole reason I came was because for over a month I have been having a serious cough and on getting here, I discovered that there are other tests there were being carried out and I took part in it.
“I picked the opportunity and came here and on getting here, I got free reading eye glass and everything thing was free.
“I want to say a big thank you to Senator Ede Dafinone for his concern on health of his constituents and I want him to do more because we are expecting more from him.”
The Ughelli North outreach is part of Senator Dafinone’s continuing effort to extend free healthcare services to communities across Delta Central Senatorial District.
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