Bayelsa announces free health checks at govt hospitals

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Ministry of Health to embark on a free quarterly health check for all citizens of the state across the eight Local Government Areas.

Governor Diri gave the directive on Sunday at the Saint John’s Anglican Church, Olobiri, Kaiama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, during a special thanksgiving service of the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Agara.

He said the free medical checkup would assist citizens of the state that cannot afford it to access healthcare in all the government’s secondary health facilities in the local government areas.

He said, “I hereby direct the Honourable Commissioner for Health to commence a free health check across Bayelsa State, in all our secondary healthcare facilities across our different local government areas. This is particularly for those that are unable to afford it. They should go for free medical checkup, which should be quarterly so that the place will not be congested.

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“Every quarter, the ministry should have a register of those they have checked their health, whether it is for high blood pressure, high blood sugar or any other ailment, including cancer that is becoming prevalent.

“As a government, we cannot be silent on the issue of cancer. We cannot close our eyes as if we are not seeing what it is doing to our people.”

He urged residents of the state to avail themselves of the opportunity by visiting the closest secondary health centre, noting that the Commissioner for Health will provide the details and announcements for the exercise.

Diri also expressed gratitude to God for the life of the Kolokuma monarch, who recently recovered from a health condition, and called on people of the state to always honour their leaders.

The governor, who described traditional rulers as custodians of peace and order in society, said they play vital roles in resolving disputes, including family matters.

He added that they need more recognition as part of government, in view of their contributions to maintaining peace and order in communities.

At the service, Governor Diri also directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to present for approval the rehabilitation work on the deplorable portions of the road from the Kaiama bridge.

He said rather than relying solely on reports, he personally inspects projects across the state in order to get first-hand information on them.

In his sermon, titled “The Supremacy of God”, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Northern Izon, Rt. Rev. Funkuro Amgbare, described God as one whose rule no one can override.

He said as a result of God’s supremacy, Olobiri now has a worship centre and that the community had been liberated from the power of darkness.

The clergyman recalled that the celebrant was ill for a while, and upon being informed, he prayed for divine healing, which he said God miraculously granted.