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By Our Correspondent.

The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has stepped up efforts to improve the welfare of children living with autism and other special needs with the second phase of the Foundation’s free medical outreach in the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency.

The outreach, held on Thursday at Osubi Secondary School in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health, provided free medical consultations, health education, medications, 120 bags of rice, 30 wheelchairs, three smart boards, physiotherapy toys, educational devices and other assistive materials to children with autism and related developmental conditions.

Speaking at the event, Deaconess Oborevwori said the initiative was inspired by the Foundation’s commitment to building an inclusive society where every individual is valued, irrespective of disability or social status.

She explained that the programme was expanded from the senatorial district level to the federal constituency level after the Foundation discovered that many families were unable to access support because of distance, inadequate awareness and financial challenges.

According to her, many children living with autism and other special needs continue to suffer stigma, discrimination and exclusion from education, healthcare and community life.

“Today’s outreach is more than a medical programme. It is a demonstration of love in action. It is a platform for raising awareness about autism and other special needs, providing free healthcare services, supporting families and encouraging communities to embrace inclusion instead of discrimination,” she said.

The governor’s wife reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting parents and caregivers while advocating policies and partnerships that would improve the wellbeing of children with special needs across Delta State.

She appealed to governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, healthcare professionals and families to work together in creating an inclusive society where every child has equal opportunities to succeed.

“Let us replace fear with understanding, prejudice with acceptance and indifference with compassion. Together, we can build communities where every child is celebrated, every family is supported and every individual is given the opportunity to flourish,” she added.

Earlier, the Director-General of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Barr. Lawrentta Ogbedo, said the Foundation remained committed to supporting children living with autism and other vulnerable groups across the state.

She disclosed that the free medical outreach would be extended to other parts of Delta to enable more families benefit from the programme.

The Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, commended Deaconess Oborevwori for her consistent commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people, particularly children with special needs.

He assured the Foundation of the support of stakeholders across the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency to strengthen humanitarian interventions in the area.

Medical experts at the outreach also enlightened parents and caregivers on autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions.

Paediatricians, Dr. Angela Bolum-Okolie and Dr. Okeroghene Mudiaga-Erhueh, explained that autism is not a communicable disease, stressing the importance of early diagnosis, regular medical care, nutritious feeding, social therapy and inclusive education.

They encouraged families to seek professional medical assistance while advocating greater public acceptance and support for children living with special needs.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, praised the governor’s wife for her sustained investment in education and healthcare for children with developmental challenges.

He urged individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to emulate the Foundation by supporting initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable children.

Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of beneficiaries, Mrs. Amara Ejofodomi, whose autistic child received a wheelchair during the outreach, expressed appreciation to Deaconess Oborevwori and the You Matter Charity Foundation for bringing free medical care and essential support directly to families at the grassroots.

The outreach is part of the Foundation’s broader healthcare and social intervention programme aimed at promoting inclusion, expanding access to quality healthcare and ensuring that children living with autism and other special needs receive the care, dignity and opportunities they deserve across Delta State.