Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has taken the Foundation’s free medical outreach to Ika Federal Constituency, calling for improved healthcare, acceptance and specialised support for children living with autism and other special needs.
Speaking during the outreach in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, on Tuesday, Deaconess Oborevwori said Ika was the sixth Federal Constituency visited by the Foundation in the current phase of its intervention. She said more than 640 children, caregivers and other beneficiaries, including elderly persons, had so far received quality medical care, medications and assistive support through the various outreaches.
The First Lady said the initiative went beyond providing medical care, as it was also aimed at creating awareness, restoring hope, breaking barriers and promoting inclusion. She stressed that children living with autism and other special needs were not less valuable, but precious children who deserved love, protection, education, support and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
Oborevwori expressed concern over the level of acceptance of children with special needs in some communities, citing inadequate educational facilities and specialised support as major challenges. She also condemned the stigmatisation of such children, particularly the practice of describing them as spiritual children or referring to them as “Ogbanje,” saying such labels undermine their dignity.
She further appealed to healthcare practitioners across Delta State to prioritise the needs of children with autism and other special needs whenever they visit health facilities. According to her, healthcare workers should understand their needs, provide them with adequate attention and, where possible, reduce the stress of prolonged waiting and long queues.
“Please let us prioritise the healthcare needs of these special children,” she said. “These children may have special needs, but their dignity is not special, it is a fundamental right.”
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Lawrentta Ogbedo, described Deaconess Oborevwori as a mother who had consistently shown concern for vulnerable people across Delta State.
Ogbedo disclosed that the Foundation had so far donated 109 wheelchairs and 490 bags of rice, as well as interactive boards and other forms of support to beneficiaries across the state.
Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Jerry Ehiwarior, welcomed Deaconess Oborevwori to Ika land and commended the Foundation for bringing healthcare closer to residents.
Ehiwarior said genuine development was about touching lives, expressing appreciation for the support provided through the outreach.
He urged residents and beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity while reminding them of the importance of regular medical checks.
The Delta State Commisioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onoajame, said the government remained committed to strengthening healthcare delivery and caring for vulnerable residents.
Represented by, Dr. Gloria Onajite-Mok, the commissioner stressed the importance of early detection in improving health outcomes and encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the medical services provided during the outreach.
The Dein of Agbor, Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu Kaigborekuzi I, also commended Deaconess Oborevwori for her efforts in supporting children and vulnerable people across the state.
The traditional ruler praised the contribution of women to the development of Delta State and Nigeria, while also appreciating women in the civil service and other sectors for their contributions to the state’s progress.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of 20 wheelchairs to persons living with mobility challenges, and a fund raise of N6 million naira for the medical care of a family with two children living with special needs.
The Foundation also pledged to support the treatment of two other children diagnosed with rare medical conditions.
