NAN-ND-1
Medical
Nathan Nwakamma
Otuoke (Bayelsa) Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) Dr Numbere Preye, Head, Clinical Services, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, said on Sunday that the hospital had commenced free medical services to 120 indigent patients in the state.
Preye, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Otueke, Bayelsa, said the gesture was under the hospital’s Rapid Result Initiative Programme.
He said that under the programme, 70 males, including adults and children, as well as women with fibroids cases would be offered free service, mostly surgery.
He also said that 50 other patients with refractive errors would have their sight deficiencies corrected, adding that all the 30 surgeries so far performed, were successful.
According to him, the programme is being funded by the Federal Ministry Health Ministry, adding that the 120 patients had been screened to ensure that only the less privileged with medical conditions in the area benefited.
He regretted that all indigent patients in the hospital’s area of coverage could not be accommodated in the programme but promised that management would consider the possibility of assisting more patients.
“The response from the screening exercise was overwhelming; I can say that about thrice the number we selected were qualified but all could not benefit due to the limited number approved for us.
“But we shall table the request by those not covered before the hospital’s management to see how we can further assist more people within our limit.
“There is so much need for medical services, especially in the rural areas. Today alone, I have performed eight surgeries and many patients are still waiting for their turn,” he said. (NAN)
NN/EMO/ASH