Hundreds of residents in Deghele and neighbouring villages in Elume, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday received free medical services through an outreach programme sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone.
The initiative, held at the Deghele Health Center, drew a large turnout of men, women, and elderly residents from surrounding communities, many of whom have limited access to healthcare facilities.
Beneficiaries were offered a range of medical services, including hepatitis screening, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, malaria diagnosis, blood group determination, and general consultations. The programme also featured health education sessions focused on disease prevention and early detection.
Speaking at the event, Patrick Akamuvba, who represented the senator as Senate Liaison Officer in Sapele Local Government Council, said the outreach was aimed at addressing healthcare gaps in underserved communities and improving residents’ wellbeing.
“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 programme went beyond treatment to include health education, equipping participants with knowledge to recognise symptoms of common illnesses and seek timely 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 noted.
Also speaking, the President General of Elume District, Victor Azan, expressed appreciation for the initiative, 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 struggle with health challenges but lack the financial means to seek proper 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, Morrison Ikoyo commended the outreach and encouraged residents to prioritise regular medical check-ups.
“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, Evelyn Okoro, expressed gratitude, noting that financial constraints had prevented her from seeking medical care for years.
“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 cannot afford hospital bills.
“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.
