—– To deliver comprehensive medical services

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a weeklong multimillion-naira free medical outreach in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

This is part of the commission’s efforts to deepen access to healthcare and improve living conditions of the people across its mandate areas.

The one week free medical outreach which is in partnership with First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative

which took place at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, is expected to deliver comprehensive medical services including surgeries, eye care and dental treatment, among others.

Speaking during the launch, Deputy Director of NDDC, Ondo State Office, Mr. Kunle Karaki, said the intervention was in partnership with Pro-Health International, noting that it reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritising human welfare beyond infrastructural development.

Karaki said that “Every one of us knows the importance of health and that is why we take it as a matter of priority.

” Apart from the roads, electricity and environmental projects we are doing in the Niger Delta, we consider health as an important segment of life.

” Our people are in need of this initiative, and that is why we are doing it simultaneously across the region.

” Last week, we completed same initiative for the people of the southern senatorial districts of Ondo State”.

The deputy director, said that the free medical outreach in Akure, which began on Monday, has already recorded high turnout.

“You can see the crowd—many have been attended to in surgery, ophthalmology and dentistry. The target is unlimited; we are here to touch lives in the true sense.”

Karaki noted that the NDDC has recorded impactful achievements in various sectors since the current management took charge under Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

According to him “You know how the President has been impacting the NDDC through our MD. Since we took over, there have been significant changes, educationally, socially and infrastructurally.

“Just last year, we restored electricity to the southern part of Ondo State for the first time in 15 years,” he revealed.

He said that 250 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries are currently studying overseas, while over 1,000 students are enrolled in local master’s programmes across Nigerian universities.

He added that educational resources have also been deployed.

The deputy director said “Only last month, we donated U-Lessons tablets and textbooks to all secondary and primary schools in Ondo State.

” These are part of our efforts to transform lives beyond physical projects. This outreach is expected to cater to thousands of residents, cutting across various medical needs.

Dr. Lanre Iwaola, the Director of Clinical Services, Ondo State Hospital Management Board, described the intervention as invaluable.

Iwaola said that “This intervention is not quantifiable because it directly impacts human life and quality of life. We say health is wealth; without health, you have nothing.

According to him “For NDDC to come around to offer free services, be it surgical, ophthalmology, dental care and others, we simply cannot quantify the benefit.”

The Director said, the initiative, if sustained, could serve as a model for community-driven healthcare interventions nationwide, particularly at a time when public health systems continue to face mounting pressure.

While commending the initiative, two of the beneficiaries,Mrs Olayemi Akindele and Mr Francis Adedayo, expressed optimism that the outreach will ease their burden, particularly , with the rising healthcare costs.