By Stephen Mmadukwem

Over 1,000 sick persons in Igbodo and Onicha Ugbo communities in Delta State have benefitted from a two-day free medical programme organised by the Dr. Isioma Okobah Foundation as part of its end of year activities.

The free medical programme which is an annual event by the foundation is aimed at reducing the mortality and morbidity rate among the people and provide quality health care to complement the health care delivery scheme of Delta State Government.

During the health fair, the beneficiaries were diagnosed and provided with free medications to treat such common ailments as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol while the visually impaired received medicated glasses to boost their sight.

Addressing the participants, the sponsor of the programme and president of the foundation, Dr. Isioma Okobah, said that the free medical programme was to provide affordable, accessible and quality health care for the rural populace who she noted, rarely seek professional care when faced with health challenges.

She added that most of the ailments that led to the death of persons among rural dwellers could be prevented if proper health care were provided.

Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, who declared the ceremony open, commended Dr. Okobah for the initiative, saying that the free health care programme would boost the health care delivery programme of the state government.

Azinge announced plans by the Delta State Government to re-introduce the free rural health care programme as a deliberate policy to boost the health needs of the rural populace in line with the health component of the SMART agenda of the Ifeanyi Okowa administration.