The Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District and Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the National Assembly, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, has flagged off a free free medical outreach program, organised by the NDDC, in Akamkpa. During the flag off ceremony held earlier today, Senator Ekpenyong said that the outreach is scheduled to hold for one week in General Hospital, Akamkpa LGA, and will cater for every person in need of medical attention across the senatorial district and state at large.
In his words, “This mission is for over 7 days. Each day we are targeting at least 500 people. At the end of this project we are looking at touching the lives of between 3,000-3,500 people.”
Speaking to constituents at the venue, Ekpenyong said that various ailments will be treated in the course of the outreach. “They are treating a lot of ailments here. There’s going to be free surgery, free eye surgery, free eye checkups, free glasses. We facilitated this mission to Akamkpa to have a catchment area of Akamkpa, Odukpani and Biase. Basically, but this outreach is for every Cross Riverian and everyone else who needs medical care. We have provided logistics to bring people from other rural areas to this location,” he said.
“Beyond providing free buses to bring them here for treatment, we have also offered to provide food and water to the every patient here so that they have something to eat while taking their medication. We are doing all of these to support the government and to fulfill our mandate which is to make sure that the health of our constituents is paramount to us,” he added.
“My understanding of the basic human needs is health. Without health you cannot pursue life in its entirety. The first and best thing you can give to anybody is a sound mind, good health. That is why one of my primary programmes for my constituency.”
Member representing Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, Hon. Okon Owuna, spoke in gratitude about Senator Ekpenyong’s various interventions and projects that have touched the lives of his constituents. He recalled that the Senator had facilitated solar light projects which brought about the installation of over 400 street lights in different political wards in Akamkpa LGA. “Thank you for fulfilling your words. It’s not a mistake by the people of Cross River Southern Senatorial District to have sent you to represent us in Abuja. It has never been this beautiful and fantastic. We have had senators in the past 16 years but this is the first time a Senator representing the people of the south bringing in free medical outreach,” Onwuna said.
The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa LGA, who was also present at the flag off, appreciated the project facilitated by the Senator. “We thank Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for deeming it fit to bring this magnitude of outreach to the grassroots.”
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health represented by Dr. Kumah, Medical Director of General Hospital Akamkpa, encouraged members of various communities to take advantage of the outreach while also expressing confidence in the qualified medical persons, equipment and services provided. He appreciated the Senator and NDDC for providing the opportunity for people to access free healthcare.
Present at the flag off exercise were Dr. George Uzonwanne, Director, Health, Education and Social Services (NDDC), Edo APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, traditional rulers, and community members. This outreach begins at 8am every day until June 22, 2023.
