By joshua 
5,000 Indigents Get Free Medical Services In Edo
FROM. IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Ministry of Regional Development has said no fewer than 5,000 Indigents will benefit from its one week free healthcare services in Edo.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh stated this on over the weekend during the flag-off of one week Medical Outreach held in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
Engr Momoh who was represented by the Director of Community Development and Education of the ministry, Festus Wasa said the healthcare services would be carried out in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Wasa said the free medical outreach affirmed the Minister’s commitment in improving the well-being of the Edo residents.
“The one week free medical treatment by the ministry of regional development is undertaken by Derum Global Services with a target of treating 5000 people of different ailments in the state.
“This medical exercise is part of the ministry’s mandates of ensuring development of various regions as only the healthy that can contribute to national development,” Wasa said
According to the director, the free health services is aimed at promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.
The Project Coordinator Derums Global Services Limited, Dr. Omeco Ekorhi said that the medical outreach included general surgery, eye surgery, free eye glasses, gynaecology, general consultation, fibroid operation, checking of high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria test as well as the distribution of free drugs.
He said the essence of the programme was to bring free medical care to the door step of the people who ordinarily cannot afford such and also to complement government effort in providing health care to the people.
“We want to thank the minister for giving us the opportunity to add value to the health care of the people of Edo,” Ekorhi said.
He, however, advised residents of the state to imbibe personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness as preventive measures against an outbreak.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the ministry and Momoh for the gesture.