- By Albert OGRAKA:
Wife of Delta State Governor and founder, 05 initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, has formally commissioned the 19th Delta owned sickle cell clinic in the state.
She inaugurated the newly built and equipped clinic at Bomadi General Hospital in Bomadi Local Government Area, during the flag off of the ongoing free grassroot medical outreach for Patani/Bomadi Federal Constituency, where she urged the politicians and elites to ensure that the people benefits from the various health initiatives of government.
While thanking God for the privilege to impact lives, Dame Okowa charged the people to bring those with traces of sickle cell anaemia symptoms to the clinic for early detection and enjoined health personnel to give adequate attention and care to patients in order to justify the huge investment of her 05 Initiative pet project.
The governor’s wife therefore, urged the residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure its adequate maintenance and effective usage.
She however, frowned at the alleged lackadaisical attitude of some medical personnel in the discharge of their duties and warned that the state government is ready to bring to book, medical personnel who deprive vulnerable indigenes of medical care.
“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 council boss, Hon. William Angadi lauded the efforts of the 05 Initiative, in restoring hope to the hopeless in the state and assured of further council’s support.
Commenting on the commencement of the five-day free eye care outreach, Dame Okowa charged the elites: “Beam your searchlights into your communities, look for everyone with visual impairment and bring them because if after these give days, you still have any blind person in your community, you will be held responsible”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the activities of the Initiative.
The Coordinator, Restore Sight Africa Initiative Dr Ernest Ogbedo whose initiative is partnering with the O5 Initiative, said plans were also 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”.
