By Charles Kumolu

IT was an experience in self-discovery driving through these rural villages in some of the most remote areas in the country. But for the well-tarred roads that lacked drainage, it would have been easy to say that these communities are disconnected from the flashes of civilizazation.

Nevertheless, that impression was punctured as you drive into Okitipupa. In fact, the rural appearance that trailed the trip from Akinfesi to Okitipupa faded as soon as we hit this town that is surrounded by many obscure villages.

If you think that arriving at this old community in Ondo State is the end of the story, you may be wrong. It only marked the beginning of a short journey from Okotipupa to Igbokoda.

A bill hoarding with the inscription: “Welcome to Igbokoda” gave hint of what to expect in this oil producing community in Ondo State. This was further reinforced by a banner that was tied to a signpost which reads: “Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, welcomes you to its Health Programme”.

This was to raise the bar for what was later witnessed at the venue. And there was indeed no moment of disappointment as the event brought the whole community together. But for the banner, it was easy to mistake the gathering of both the young and the old as a political one.

*Some participants undergoing medical check-up during the programme

Kick-starting the event, the State Representative on the Board of NDDC, Rev. Benson Enikuomehin, told a pathetic story which informed the decision to bring Indian doctors to Nigeria for the programme.

“I discovered that I had medical problem and I was always going to some highbrow hospitals in Lagos for diagonisis but nothing good came out of it. It was the consistency of the illness and inability of the health system here to fathom what was wrong with me that made me opt for India,” he informed.

Continuing, he said: “I was supprised when the Indian doctors diagnosed the ailment after examining me, and within minutes performed surgery on me. It was their expertise that made me to invite them to my community because I know that a lot of people may be suffering from undetected illnesses”.

He also corrected the impression that the programme was primarily an idea of the NDDC, saying that was not the case. “This event is not in the budget of the Commission, but I felt that it was of importance that we do it. That was why I informed the board and the Chairman of the Governing Board. I received tremendous support from them.

This is my contribution to my community; I am not using it to ask for a second term, because I am not seeking for a second term; it is my contribution to the community,” he stated amid deafening applause from the crowd.

Enikoumehin also said that any patient diagnosed of severe ailment would be flown abroad on the bill of the Commission, while those with minor cases will be treated accordingly.

Nonetheless, Vanguard Metro gathered that the treatment cost was originally $1,500 but was reduced to $30 per person. However, after due consideration of the poor economic status of the villagers, the treatment was later made free.

The project, it was gathered is being carried out in collaboration with Medcrest Health, India’s Artemis Health Institute. About 10 surgeons from Artemis Health Institute in Ariana State in India, 25 resident doctors and 30 professional nurses in the Ondo State Ministry of Health are engaged in the free health programme which is taking place at Igbokoda and Okitipupa Specialist Hospitals, respectively.

Speaking to Vangaurd Metro, one of the doctors, Rajesh Verne of Artmis Health Institute, noted that the team was in Nigeria to secure the health of Ondo indigenes. He disclosed that Nigeria’s health sector deserves qualified experts in order to deal with the various medical challenges in the country.

“Artemis Health Institute is dedicated to provide the best in healthcare with affordability as the prime focus.Artemis has put modern technology in the hands of India’s renowned doctors to set a new standard in heathcare. The passion for quality has made Artemis one of the most revered hospitals in the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, participants at the forum were unanimous in praising the initiative, adding that it is a confirmation that the NDDC commissioner was fully abreast of health challenges in the area.

“We are happy that our son conceived this idea, even if it was originally part of NDDC’s budget for the year. We are greateful for the action, especially for involving other areas outside Ese/Odo and Ilaje.

We the Obas and regents are happy with this idea and hope it would be sustained. We are happy that he met all of us for the first time,” the Ikale Oluabodin of Ikale said.

Similarly, Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, noted that the project is in line with his administration’s aggressive drive for proper healthcare.

Thousands of Ondo State indigenes from Irele, Okitipupa, Ese – Odo and Ilaje council areas participated in the programme which also attracted several Obas, 10 of which came from Ikale. The Obas from Ikale community were the first to undergo medical check-up at the venue.