…Say Project Is Another Promise Fulfilled
The people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area have expressed appreciation to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Executive Chairman of ONELGA, Chief (Amb) Ifeanyi Victor Odili following the free medical programme which began in Omoku, headquarters of the LGA on Friday.
Jointly organized by the Onelga council and the Rivers State government, the first phase of the exercise which held at the premises of the Council Secretariat, attracted over 500 persons including children and the aged.
Most of those who spoke to National Network said they came from far, adjoining communities and arrived the Council Secretariat as early as 8 am, only to find that available seats have all been taken over by those who arrived earlier.
However, it was a mission well accomplished as everyone was attended to, thanks to the seamless efficiency deployed by the medical team. Their job was further enhanced by the use of the state-of-the-art Mobile Hospital, a four-wheel truck that houses two consulting rooms, an operating theatre and a pharmacy.
It was commendations galore for the ONELGA Council and the Rivers State Government as the beneficiaries unanimously lauded the programme and described it as a step in the right direction.
Brimming with show of satisfaction, the beneficiaries commended Governor Wike and the ONELGA Council Chairman for matching words with action; and demonstrating that the wellbeing of the people is paramount to them.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Charity Ebara who hailed from Oboburu Community, said she was overjoyed after she was treated, adding that some of the drugs given to her were expensive drugs which she could not have afforded given her meager income.
An elder citizen, Dr. Moses Adiela who also benefitted from the free Medicare programme, commended the government for the initiative but urged Governor Wike to make it a periodic exercise to sustain the health and wellbeing of the citizenry.
“This programme is noteworthy and should be organized from time to time to avail those who are not privileged to go to the private hospitals, to obtain this kind of quality treatment. It should be a regular thing so that those who live in the rural areas would have the opportunity to enjoy this dividend of democracy”, he said.
For Madam Rebecca Ajugu, a native of Ndoni who said she only heard about the programme on her way to work, particularly lauded the standard of the treatment coupled with the dexterity employed by the medical personnel.
She pointed at the world-class vehicle (Mobile Hospital) where she was ushered in when her number was called up, and added comically: “The moment I stepped into that air-conditioned truck and laid down for examination, I felt all the pains in my body leave me instantly! If that can happen, I know that once I get home and take these drugs, I would be fit as a fiddle”.
“God will bless our Governor, Nyesom Wike. God will bless our Chairman, Victor Odili and God will also bless Dr. Ojum and his team for this wonderful gesture of providing medical treatment free of charge especially for the poor”, she prayed.
Speaking in the same vein, Brother Chukwuma Umah who also hails from Oboburu Community said the programme stood out amongst other similar events given the standard of execution and quality of medication.
He described the ONELGA Council Chairman as a promise keeper, recalling vividly that the Council boss had, during his pre-election campaigns, promised to put the healthcare needs of the people in the front burner of his administration and urged him to do more for the people.
The Director of the Department of Emergency Medical Services at the State Health Ministry, Dr. Silvanus Ojum who led the team of doctors and other health workers to pilot affairs, disclosed that the event is a pilot scheme, adding that the train had just taken off from ONELGA and would get to the other local government councils across the State in the coming weeks.
Speaking on the Mobile vehicle Hospital which became the cynosure of all eyes at the event as many people were seeing it for the first time, Ojum who is a medical consultant at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RISUTH), said the Mobile Hospital which is four in number are properties of the State government procured under the administration of former Governor Peter Odili for the Emergency Services Department of the Ministry of Health.
He explained that the vehicles had become rusty due to non-use but he had to refurbish one of them upon assuming duty as Director of the Emergency Services Department, adding happily that the facility was being used in community based terms, for the first time with the ONELGA event.
“We have ambulances that move patients but this facility is procured to move from community to community to treat people who cannot be easily reached. Most people cannot access the General Hospitals despite their proximity but with this Mobile Hospital, you are bringing a hospital close to them.
“So, we thought that we have indigent patients who have no funds on them but needs medical assistance. And to kick-start this free medical programme, we have to begin with the ONELGA Council Chairman, a man who have shown so much passion about the health of his people, just like our medical-friendly Governor who has done so much for the people of the State in terms of health.
“In fact, anyone working under such a Governor must borrow a leaf and that is what the ONELGA Chair is doing by co-sponsoring the programme”, Dr. Ojum said.
He said while the Local Governments provide the logistics, accommodation, drugs and feeding; the Health Ministry takes care of the needed expertise, Mobile Hospital and staff.
The medic stressed the need for Local Government Area Councils, public spirited individuals and corporate organizations who desires to assist in providing health services to their people, to partner with the Health Ministry in that regard.
National Network sought to know from the Executive Chairman of ONELGA, Chief (Amb) Victor Ifeanyi Odili why he took up the gauntlet to provide his people the free Medicare.
“The good health of our people is paramount. There is no where you go and lead people and if they are sick, you will be able to enjoy whatever you are doing for them. That is why we felt it is good to organize this free medical programme.
“And knowing very well that the people of ONELGA fully supported and massively voted to return our amiable Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for a second term, we now felt that it is also a way of showing appreciation to them. That is why we have decided to bring this to the people so th at so many persons who don’t have money for medical treatment, can also come and get it free since the local government is the closest to the masses”, he stated.
The ONELGA boss said the second phase of the programme would hold at Ndoni on Friday (21st June, 2019) while the train would move to Okwuzi-Egbema on Saturday, June 22, 2019, adding that other communities in the LGA would also get their turn in the near future.
He disclosed that the Council was working out modalities to ensure the event holds at least twice a year.
On the cost implication of medications, considering the high quality of drugs and other logistics used for the exercise, the youthful Council Chair simply gesticulated, saying: “We are here to serve the people and whatever that will make them happy, we will do it not minding the cost. The most important thing is the total wellbeing of our people.
“It is better that you use N10,000 to treat someone rather than dashing his family N5,000 to support his burial because of a minor ailment that could have been cured. So, we think it is important to do this for our people”, he posited.
Chief (Amb) Odili urged people to remain peaceful, committed and loyal. He urged them to join hands to move the LGA forward, adding that God has so graciously given to them a peace-loving Governor who has come to make life better for all Rivers men and women.
