-By Albert OGRAKA:
Wife of Delta State Governor and founder, 05 initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, has flagged off the 5-day Free Eye Care Outreach and commissioned the Delta State owned 17th Sickle Cell Center in Burutu.
Dame Okowa, had promised to establish sickle cell clinics in the twenty-five local government areas of the state.
Inaugurating the latest sickle cell clinic, located at the Burutu General Hospital, Burutu Federal Constituency on Wednesday, she appreciated God for the privilege to impact lives, saying that many had lost their loved ones to sickle cell anemia due to ignorance and improper awareness.
Addressing the people, she said, “Whatever we are doing here does not have any political inclination.
“It is no news that some persons have been insinuating that the free medical care are born out of political aspirations.
“We want to make your lives easier and lighter because it is the will of God for you, not because we want to benefit any favour from you.
“Everyone has a purpose for which he was created and we must all live to please God by fulfilling that purpose.”
“We recognize that the position we occupy as first citizens of Delta State is a privilege birthed out of purpose and we must live our lives according to that purpose.
“We are not the best but we understand that we are accountable to the one who chose us in His mercy.
While urging the residents to take ownership of the facility and imbibe good maintaince culture for sustainable service delivery, she commended the efforts of the local government chairman, Mr. Godknows Angele, for supporting the 05 Initiative.
Meanwhile, the Burutu local government boss, in his remarks lauded the efforts of the 05 Initiative at restoring hope to the hopeless in the state and pledged his continuous support for the Okowa administration.
Also speaking, Dr. Clement Isibor charged the health personnel at the clinic to give adequate attention and care to the patients so as to justify the huge investment of the 05 Initiative in collaboration with the Burutu local government council.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye represented by his Permanent Secretary Dr. Ejiro Ogheneaga affirmed that the ministry was prepared to support the initiative’s drive at impacting lives.
One of the beneficiaries in 2018, 80 year old Pa Nelson Iyakonbogha testified that his two eyes were operated on in the last outreach and that four years after, his eyes have become clearer.
With the flag off of the outreach, the Coordinator of Restore Sight Africa Initiative, Dr Ernest Ogbedo said the team had been prepared to deliver in the service to the people.
