By Friday Idachaba
ONYEDEGA (KOGI) Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in collaboration with Cedio Rural Outreach Ministry has engaged over 80 doctors to provide free medical and surgical services for riverine communities in Ibaji and Bassa Local Government Areas of Kogi.
Dr Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of HYPPADEC, flagged off a four-day free medical outreach in four LGAs in Kogi on Saturday at Onyedega, Ibaji Local Government Area.
Yelwa who holds the Chieftaincy title of “Katukan Yauri” said the flag off marked the first phase of the medical outreach in four out of the 10 Local Government Areas being covered by HYPPADEC in Kogi.
He described the programme as a “necessity” and “pragmatic” considering the terrains and importance of citizens’ health to nation building.
“This Commission is very much aware of the challenges being faced by communities in the riverine areas thus our resolve to provide the Communities with the needed infrastructure”, he said.
The MD who was represented by Jimoh Haruna-Gabi, Director, Admin and Finance, said the Medical Outreach was aside the provision of health facilities, boreholes and street lights in the areas being covered.
Yelwa expressed gratitude to CEDIO Rural Outreach Ministry, Ibaji Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Williams Iko-Ojo and the Eje of Ibaji, Ajofe John Egwemi for their support and cooperation to make this programme a reality.
Also speaking, Dr Peter Emuchay, Chief Medical Director (CMD), CEDIO Rural Outreach Ministry, appreciated HYPPADEC for the synergy and pledged to carry out the programme with utmost expertise.
Emuchay said that he came with more than 80 medical personnel drawn from various Teaching Hospitals across the country for the four-day programme.
He said the Outreach ministry has since 2011 been synergizing with the commission on the medical outreaches and that there has never been any issue or casualty during the periods.
Also, speaking, Ibaji Council Chairman, Mr Williams Iko’ojo, expressed appreciation to the commission for considering his people as beneficiaries of the good gesture.
The Eje of Ibaji, HRH John Egwemi, said, “We are short of words in thanking the Commission for the gesture done to the community in 2011, 2012 and this year, 2022.”
The Nigerian Pilot reports that the benefitting LGAs of the first phase of the HYPPADEC medical outreach is taking place simultaneously in Ibaji, Bassa, Ajaokuta and Kogi Local Government Areas.
The medical and surgical intervention are in the areas of diabetes, Hypertension, Malaria, Anthritis, Surgical and Hernia, Ganglion, Lipoma, Lump, Eye and screen, which include BP and sugar checks. (Ends).