WHO to provide data on health pattern of Ogoniland in 2025

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with local partners, will provide data on the health patterns of Ogoniland in 2025.

Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

He said the public health study would be conducted by the WHO to facilitate sustainable health interventions for the residents.

Zabbey also stated that the unveiling of the free medical outreach was conducted by HYPREP in collaboration with the Association of Ogoni Doctors (AOD) at the Terebor General Hospital in Gokana Local Government Area.

“The project will begin the Public Health Study of Ogoni in 2025. Already, the project is constructing the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the Buan Cottage Hospital as part of efforts to provide access to quality healthcare in Ogoni.”

He further mentioned that the project would strengthen more primary healthcare facilities in 2025.

According to him, the health centres are located in Onne (Eleme LGA), Nonwa (Tai LGA), Taabaa (Khana LGA), and Bodo (Gokana LGA).

Zabbey also recalled that the project had strengthened health centres in Bori, Terebor, Kpite, and Nchia communities.

He added that, under the project, staff quarters were being constructed alongside remedial works at the K-Dere Primary Health Centre for doctors and community health workers to improve community medicine and access to healthcare.

He assured of the project’s commitment to prioritising the health of the Ogoni people.

“The projects include the provision of potable water, the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration of the Ogoni Power Project, livelihood programmes, and others,” he said.

Dr Adaeze Oreh, the Commissioner for Health in Rivers, commended HYPREP for partnering with the state government to provide healthcare services to the Ogoni people through the free medical outreach and other health interventions.

She also assured of the government’s continued support for HYPREP in sustaining the public health projects.

Dr Nwizor Nkadam, AOD President, commended HYPREP for prioritising people-centred programmes like the free medical outreach.

He added that the group identified with the project in its efforts to address the health challenges affecting the people.

NAN reports that the free medical outreach, scheduled for December 16 to December 27 across the four LGAs of Ogoni, will offer free medical consultations and treatments, health education, and the distribution of essential medications to the people.

The outreach will include health screenings for common illnesses and conditions, surgeries for hernia, appendicitis, cataracts, fibroids, and dental care.