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Wife of Delta State Governor and originator of 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa on Wednesday flagged off the second edition of the Free Grassroots Medical Outreach for Delta Central at the General Hospital, Eku with a call on every Deltan to take advantage of the programme to ensure that they are healthy and enjoy the benefit of the Prosperity Agenda of the administration in the State.

She said the programme was of great importance against the background that the need to give attention to the eye cannot be overemphasized. “Your eye is the lamp of your body, if your eyes are healthy, your whole body is full of light’”. Matthew 6:22.

The eye is indeed the window of the soul,” she said.

Dame Okowa continued:.”As we are aware, blindness is bad, it is a life threatening condition, it brings depression and hinders movement. Many persons suffer due to lack of affordable medical care, illiteracy and poverty. That is why we have brought this outreach to your doorstep in order to increase accessibility and remove the barrier of cost.

“In 2018, We went round the 25 LGAs where a total of 26,304 patients were seen, 15,811 eyeglasses were distributed, 9,386 eye drugs dispensed and 2,241 surgeries were performed. I am particularly happy because we had success stories from patients within and outside the state, we are still celebrating the testimonies from men, women even Children till now.

“Despite the COVID 19 pandemic, the O5 Initiative in partnership with Restore Sight Africa and the ministry of Health will throughout this month will visit the three senatorial district starting with Delta Central (Eku), Delta South (Oleh) and finally Delta North(Asaba). Provision has been made for COVID 19 tests as well as free eye screening, Surgery, distribution of free glasses and free medication.

“The need for every Deltan to be healthy and enjoy the benefit of the Prosperity Agenda is of utmost importance to this administration therefore I urge all and sundry to be part of this programme.

“I will like to pause here to pay glowing tribute to a daughter of Delta Central and a strong supporter of the O5 Initiative late Barrister Mrs Mary Iyasere, she would have been here but was called home by her maker. We cannot question God but we take solace that she lived well. May her soul rest in peace.”

The First Lady of Delta State thanked the Chairmen of the eight LGAs and the good people of Delta Central for their large turnout. “I am convinced that at the end of our visit, the testimony will be “I was blind now I can see,” she said.

Dame Okowa also specially acknowledge Dr Ernest Ogbedo and his Restore sight Africa team for the passion and commitment to this task, you have done it before, I have the assurance that the Lord will use you again for the restoration of the sight of Deltans.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Pharm. Victor Ofobrukueta said, “Deltans are indeed proud of the activities of the O5 Initiative that has transformed lives.

“We are privileged to host the outreach this year and pray that Her Excellency is continually strengthened for what lies ahead”, he said..

Dr. Ogbedo on his part, reechoed the stance of the wife of the governor, encouraging opinion leaders and politicians to help bring people who need eye medications but are unable to come unaided.

Several of the patients who spoke testified of how their sights had greatly improved after receiving correctional glasses.