NDDC Brings Free Healthcare to Thousands in Ondo State
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has initiated a major week-long free medical program in Akure, Ondo State. This multimillion-naira health outreach aims to provide thousands of Niger Delta residents with access to quality medical services they might otherwise struggle to afford.
Comprehensive Medical Services Offered
The program, which began on Monday, November 17, 2025, is being held at the State Specialist Hospital, previously known as the Mother and Child Hospital. The free medical outreach will run for seven consecutive days, offering an extensive range of healthcare services. These include general and specialized surgeries, ophthalmology and dental care, laboratory tests, medical consultations, drug prescriptions, and essential health counseling.
Kunle Karaki, the Deputy Director of the NDDC's Ondo State Office, emphasized during the launch that this intervention demonstrates the Commission's strong commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative is being executed in partnership with Pro-Health International, showcasing a collaborative approach to addressing healthcare challenges in the region.
Massive Turnout and Regional Impact
Karaki highlighted the significant public response since the program's commencement, with numerous patients already benefiting from vital surgeries and specialist treatments. He stated, "The target is unlimited; we are here to touch lives in the true sense", indicating the program's ambitious scope.
He further revealed that this medical outreach is part of a simultaneous regional effort, with a similar program having just concluded in Ondo South. This strategic rollout ensures broader coverage across the Niger Delta region.
Beyond healthcare, Karaki outlined other significant achievements under NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku's leadership:
- 250 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries currently studying overseas
- Over 1,000 students enrolled in local master's programs in Nigerian universities
- Recent distribution of U-Lesson tablets and textbooks to primary and secondary schools in Ondo State to enhance digital learning
A Lifeline for Residents
Dr. Lanre Iwaola, Director of Clinical Services at the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, described the outreach as "a lifeline" for many residents facing financial barriers to healthcare. With rising medical costs preventing many from accessing necessary treatments, this free intervention provides crucial relief.
"This intervention is invaluable," Iwaola stated. "Health is wealth, and without it everything else becomes secondary. For the NDDC to offer free surgical, dental, ophthalmology and other services at this scale, the impact cannot be quantified."
The program represents a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility in the Niger Delta, addressing immediate medical needs while supporting the broader goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda that prioritizes human welfare alongside infrastructure development.
