The Bayelsa State government commenced its 5th-anniversary celebration with a large-scale medical outreach at the Ikarama Cottage Hospital in Okordia Clan, Yenagoa local government area.
The initiative, led by Governor Douye Diri’s administration under the Prosperity Government, is to foster healthcare accessibility in line with the Assured Agenda.
Governor Diri who spoke during the flag off on Monday, eqmphasized that the outreach programme provides free medical consultations, minor surgical procedures, screenings, health education, and preventive services, with a special focus on maternal and child health.
Diri disclosed that the anniversary of his administration was usually preceded by medical outreaches because healthcare delivery was its priority and that without good health, its prosperity agenda would not be realised.
He noted that the facility would serve not only Bayelsa residents but also neighboring communities in Rivers State, including Joinkarama 1, 2, 3, 4, and Mbiama.
He said: "It is heartwarming that today we have gathered to mark the flag off of the fifth anniversary of your government of Assured Prosperity and we are doing so in a grand style with a medical outreach in Ikarama community.
"We cannot be talking about prosperity without taking care of our health. That is why we always started our anniversaries with a medical outreach
"Today, this hospital has been put to use. I am aware that a medical doctor, nurses and other support staff have been posted here. Therefore, the hospital will now function as a cottage hospital."
The Governor advised the community to protect the facility and cooperate with staff to ensure its smooth operations.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, stated that the statewide medical outreach was a demonstration of the government's commitment to provide healthcare to all Bayelsans irrespective of financial status.
He said the key focus of the programme was to provide free medical intervention for indigent patients and that minor surgeries were also conducted at the facility, while major surgeries would be referred to designated centres at Otuasegha, Okolobiri, Diete Koki and other secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Professor Brisibe also stressed the importance of healthcare access, stating that food supplements and medical services are fundamental rights.
He urged Bayelsans to take advantage of the opportunity, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
Brisibe also said the outreach provided the opportunity to formally open the hospital for use after years that the facility was left to rot away.
According to him, a full complement of staff of the ministry have been posted to provide services at the hospital.
Other services offered, apart from minor surgeries were polio vaccination , distribution of 1000 treated mosquito nets, food supplements and other consumables.
The commissioner, who said the cottage hospital would serve Ikarama and surrounding communities in Okordia, Zarama and Rivers State, encouraged the communities to take full advantage of the hospital.
Similarly, the paramount ruler of Ikarama Community, His Royal Highness, Chief Wariebi Jonah Beribozigha, who narrated the history of the Ikarama Cottage Hospital, explained that the idea for the facility was first conceived between 1986 and 1995 by His Royal Highness, Chief Guine Okah, who generously donated the land for its establishment.
Beribozigha commended the Bayelsa State government for renovating the hospital and making it fully operational. He praised Governor Diri’s administration for prioritizing healthcare and ensuring that the people of Okordia Clan and beyond have access to quality medical services.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Marcus Oluwadare, thanked Governor Diri for the support to health partners, saying that the state witnessed five health outbreaks in 2024, but they were successfully tackled as a result of the support of the governor.
He equally revealed that cases of cholera outbreak in some communities were also swiftly responded to by the government when the state was alerted and that the situation had been brought under control.
Highlights of the event was the administration of vaccines on children and tour of the facility by Governor Diri.
The event was attended among others by the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, top government functionaries and traditional rulers.
