Hundreds of residents in Deghele, and other adjoining villages in Elume, Sapele Local Government Area on Wednesday, benefited from a free medical outreach sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone, as part of efforts to expand access to essential healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The outreach, held at Deghele Health Centre in Deghele community, attracted a large turnout of men, women, and elderly residents from various surrounding villages, many of whom had limited access to medical facilities.
A wide range of services were provided during the programme, including hepatitis screening, blood pressure checks, glucose level tests, malaria diagnosis, blood group determination, and general consultations, alongside health education sessions aimed at promoting disease prevention.
Speaking at the event, Chief Patrick Akamuvba, the Senate Liaison Officer in Sapele Local Government Council, who represented the senator, said the initiative was designed to bridge healthcare gaps in rural areas and improve overall well-being. “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 further explained that beyond treatment, the programme focused on education, noting that participants were taught how to identify symptoms of common illnesses and seek timely care. “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 added.
Also speaking, the President General of Elume District, Comrade Victor Azan, expressed gratitude for the initiative, describing it as unexpected but highly 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.
He noted that many residents in the area suffer from illnesses but lack the means to seek medical attention. “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 outreach and urged residents to prioritise regular health 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, Mrs. Evelyn Okoro, expressed appreciation for the initiative, revealing that she had not undergone a medical check-up in years due to financial constraints. “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 a life-saving intervention for rural dwellers. “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.
