Hundreds of residents from Deghele and nearby communities in Elume, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, turned out on Wednesday for a free medical outreach sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone, gaining access to vital healthcare services many had long gone without.
The Deghele Health Centre was transformed into a busy medical hub as villagers including men, women, and the elderly took advantage of the rare chance to receive professional care without worrying about cost or travel distance.
Beneficiaries were offered a variety of services such as hepatitis screening, blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, malaria diagnosis, blood group testing, and general medical consultations. The outreach also included health education sessions aimed at promoting disease prevention and early detection.
Speaking at the event, the Senate Liaison Officer for Sapele Local Government Council, Chief Patrick Akamuvba, who represented the senator, said the initiative was designed to close healthcare gaps in rural areas and improve residents’ wellbeing. He noted that many people in remote communities seldom have access to such services, making the outreach especially impactful.
Akamuvba added that beyond treatment, participants were educated on how to recognise symptoms of common illnesses and seek timely medical help. According to him, the interactive sessions equipped residents with knowledge that is just as important as the medical care provided.
Also commenting, the President General of Elume District, Comrade Victor Azan, expressed gratitude for the programme, describing it as both surprising and highly beneficial. He said the information was quickly shared across 19 villages, leading to a continuous influx of participants.
Azan pointed out that many people in the area struggle with health issues but lack the financial resources to seek care. He described the outreach as a major relief and appreciated the effort, hoping for more interventions of this kind in the future.
Hon. Morrison Ikoyo also praised the initiative and encouraged residents to prioritise regular health check-ups, stressing that early detection is key to preventing serious health complications.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Evelyn Okoro, said she was grateful for the opportunity, revealing she had not had a medical check-up in years due to financial constraints. She said the programme helped her discover she had high blood pressure.
Another participant, Eunice Pemu, described the outreach as life-saving, especially for rural dwellers who often ignore health issues because of cost. She said the free services helped her understand her health status and expressed hope that the programme would continue to benefit more people.
