Wife of the Delta state governor and founder, O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa says the state government is ready to bring to book, medical personnel who deprive vulnerable indigenes of medical care.
Dame Okowa made the statement at the General Hospital, Bomadi, while flagging off another phase of her free grassroot medical outreach for Patani/Bomadi Federal constituency.
With obvious insistence, her words to the indigenes were, “If doctors or nurses do not come to the hospital, report to the appropriate quarters.
“Put your feet on the ground and ensure that you get the needed medical services. The governor cannot be everywhere at the same time and so you need to serve as the watchdogs of the government”.
She emphasized that a lot of efforts had gone into upgrading existing government hospitals in the state and that it would be disappointing if the facilities are not maintained or the professionals deny the people of the needed care.
” The last time I was here at General hospital, Bomadi, I was not happy with the state of the hospital and since then, I have deliberately pressured the commissioner for health and other relevant stakeholders to make sure that there are improved changes.
“I am very happy today that they heeded to my pleas and the hospital is in a better shape. But it doesn’t end there as all hands needed to be on deck to maintain the facilities and make use of them”.
Commenting on the commencement of another phase of the free eye care outreach, Dame Okowa urged the politicians and elites to see to it that their people benefit.
“Beam your searchlights into your communities, look for everyone with visual impairment and bring them because if after these given days, you still have any blind person in your community, you will be held responsible”.
The wife of the governor also used the opportunity to commission a newly built and equipped sickle cell clinic at Bomadi, the 19th in the state.
The state commissioner for health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the activities of the initiative.
The chairman, Bomadi local government area, William Angadi, in his vote of thanks affirmed that a lot of persons from the community had benefited from the activities of the First Lady and pledged continuous support.
The Coordinator, Restore Sight Africa Initiative Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, whose initiative is partnering with the O5 Initiative said plans were in place to examine the eyes of sickle cell warriors.
In his words, “As those living with sickle cell disorder are being enabled to live longer, it is important we help them stay healthy”.
