By Akpos Oghenetega,
Delta State First Lady and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, launched a large-scale free medical outreach for children with special needs and their caregivers in Ughelli, donating medication, wheelchairs, and a variety of assistive and educational devices.
Organised by the You Matter Charity Foundation in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health and the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the programme featured medical check-ups, nutrition counselling, disability support services, and the distribution of mobility and learning tools aimed at improving independence, access to care, and overall wellbeing.
Addressing parents and caregivers, Deaconess Oborevwori made a passionate call to end the culture of hiding children with special needs, condemning the practice as dangerous and driven by ignorance. “It is not their fault. Every child deserves love, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive,” she said, expressing concern over the stigma surrounding Autism and other developmental conditions.
She added, “Autistic people are everyday people who live among us. Autism is not a spiritual problem or an illness looking for a cure. It is a condition that can be managed with understanding, compassion, and the right professional support.”
She explained that the state-wide outreach aims not only to provide care but also to raise awareness, confront misinformation, and encourage early medical intervention. She urged mothers to show courage and seek assistance instead of hiding their children, while reaffirming her Foundation’s commitment to advocacy and inclusivity across Delta State.
Delivering health talks, Dr. Ifeoma Udeh, Consultant Paediatrician at Asaba Specialist Hospital, warned that about 50% of Nigerian children are micronutrient deficient, linking the issue to economic challenges, poor feeding habits, and cultural beliefs, and stressing the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and early nutrition. Similarly, Dr. Bolum-Okolie Angela, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, urged parents to prioritise education, healthcare, and emotional support for children with disabilities, noting that early intervention greatly improves long-term outcomes.
Medical personnel conducted examinations and provided professional guidance throughout the event, as the outreach advanced the Foundation’s mission of offering hope, visibility, and vital support to special-needs children across Delta State.
