ELUME/Nigeria: In a major boost to grassroots healthcare delivery, hundreds of residents from Deghele and neighbouring communities in Elume, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, thronged a free medical outreach sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone on Wednesday, gaining access to essential health services many had long been deprived of.
The outreach, which transformed the Deghele Health Centre into a hub of medical activity, witnessed an overwhelming turnout of villagers—men, women and the elderly—many of whom seized the rare opportunity to receive professional medical attention without the burden of cost or distance.
Participants received a wide range of medical services, including hepatitis screening, blood pressure checks, glucose level tests, malaria diagnosis, blood group determination, and general consultations. The programme also featured health education sessions designed to promote disease prevention and encourage early detection of illnesses.
Speaking at the event, the Senate Liaison Officer in Sapele Local Government Council, Chief Patrick Akamuvba, who represented the senator, said the initiative was targeted at bridging healthcare gaps in rural communities and improving the overall wellbeing of residents. “This is the medical outreach day for our people, especially those in remote communities. You can see the joy on their faces because many of them rarely have access to this kind of care,” he said.
Akamuvba added that the outreach went beyond treatment to include critical health education, noting that participants were sensitised on how to identify symptoms of common ailments and seek prompt medical attention. “It was a very interactive session. They were taught what to look out for and what to do when they notice symptoms. That knowledge is as important as the treatment itself,” he explained.
Also speaking, the President General of Elume District, Comrade Victor Azan, expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as both unexpected and impactful. “We were surprised when we got the information. I immediately informed the 19 villages, and people are still coming. This is something we never expected,” he said.
Azan noted that many residents in the area suffer from various health conditions but lack the financial means to access medical care. “For someone to remember us and bring this kind of support is a big relief. We are very happy and we pray for more of this kind of intervention,” he added.
In his remarks, Hon. Morrison Ikoyo commended the initiative and urged residents to make regular health check-ups a priority. “If you don’t check your health, you won’t know your condition. Regular check-ups help you detect problems early and address them before they become serious,” he advised.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Evelyn Okoro, expressed gratitude for the programme, revealing that she had not undergone any medical check-up in years due to financial challenges. “I am very happy for this opportunity. I didn’t know my blood pressure was high until today. This programme has really helped me,” she said.
Another participant, Eunice Pemu, described the outreach as life-saving, particularly for rural dwellers who often neglect their health due to cost. “Many of us cannot afford hospital bills, so we ignore our health challenges. Today, we have been examined and treated free of charge. I now know my health status, and I feel relieved. We pray this programme continues because it will save many lives,” she said.
