Gov. Diri Flagg-Off Medical Outreach In Ikarama Community

By Preye Bagou, Yenagoa

…Promises To Prioritize Healthcare

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has flagged-off medical outreach to provide improved healthcare for vulnerable and less privileged people in Ikarama community, and neighbouring communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Hot News reports that the event signaled the commencement of activities in marking the 5th anniversary of the prosperity government led by His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri in office as Governor of the State.

The medical outreach is primarily geared towards handling issues of immunization, consultation, surgical interventions, screening, health education, and preventive services to the vulnerable population.

The medical outreach is conceived with a primary focus on maternal and child health, non-communicable disease, reproductive health, and minor surgical procedures.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Diri stated that the medical outreach highlights his administration’s unwavering commitment in improving healthcare services to Bayelsans and residents.

“The prosperity government will make this cottage hospital built many years ago operational. I have directed the health commissioner to take immediate action,” he added.

The governor said the facility was built in 1998 by Agip (now Oando) as part of its corporate social responsibility.

He said: “It is heartwarming that today we have gathered to mark the flag off of the fifth anniversary of your government of Assured Prosperity and we are doing so in a grand style with a medical outreach in Ikarama community.

“We cannot be talking about prosperity without taking care of our health. That is why we always started our anniversaries with a medical outreach

“Today, this hospital has been put to use. I am aware that a medical doctor, nurses and other support staff have been posted here. Therefore, the hospital will now function as a cottage hospital.”

He advised the community to protect the facility and cooperate with staff to ensure its smooth operations.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Marcus Oluwadare, thanked Governor Diri for the support to health partners, saying that the state witnessed five health outbreaks in 2024, but they were successfully tackled as a result of the support of the governor.

He equally revealed that cases of cholera outbreak in some communities were also swiftly responded to by the government when the state was alerted and that the situation had been brought under control.

He pledged the support of WHO to ensure a healthy Bayelsa State.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, stated that the statewide medical outreach was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to provide healthcare to all Bayelsans irrespective of financial status.

He said the key focus of the programme was to provide free medical intervention for indigent patients and that minor surgeries were also conducted at the facility, while major surgeries would be referred to designated centres at Otuasegha, Okolobiri, Diete Koki and other secondary and tertiary health facilities.

Prof. Brisibe also said the outreach provided the opportunity to formally open the hospital for use after years that the facility was left to rot away.

According to him, a full complement of staff of the ministry have been posted to provide services at the hospital.

Other services offered, apart from minor surgeries were polio vaccination , distribution of 1000 treated mosquito nets, food supplements and other consumables.

The commissioner, who said the cottage hospital would serve Ikarama and surrounding communities in Okordia, Zarama and Rivers State, encouraged the communities to take full advantage of the hospital.

The paramount ruler of Ikarama community, His Royal Highness, Wariebi Jonah, thanked the governor for ensuring the renovation and commencement of operations at the hospital.

Highlights of the event was the administration of vaccines on children and tour of the facility by Governor Diri.

The event was attended among others by the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, top government functionaries and traditional rulers.

Reporting: Hot News Reporters