———By Ovasa Ogaga———–
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Nigerians to go for regular medical checks up to enable them identify early signs of ill-health.
Okowa stated this while flagging off free eye screening, tests, glasses and surgery at Ozoro, Isoko North local government area of the state.
The free eye screening which was sponsored by the administration of Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor as the Chairman, Isoko North local government council is the second phase that the council is embarking on.
According to the Governor, “this screening exercise is a wakeup call for a genuine need for us to go for health check regularly.”
“Most people die gradually because they don’t see the need to go for health check.”
He called on other local government councils in the state to emulate what the Isoko North Chairman in partnership with stakeholders is doing to improve on the health status of their indigenes.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor stated, “this second phase of the exercise is coming on the heels of the successes recorded in the first phase in August 2015, which saw a 17-year old blind girl regaining her sight after undergoing free eye surgery at the centre.”
While disclosing that a philanthropist contributed N1.5 million for the exercise which was being handled by a team of qualified specialists, Hon. Egbabor said, “in the first phase of the exercise, over 1, 500 persons were screened and treated for various eye related issues while about 75 persons were operated upon and over 750 glasses were giving out.
According to him; “we embarked on this programme because we believe that, despite the recession, if the people can have their sight, they can fend for themselves, thereby reducing the hunger in the land and increase their productivity.”