The Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Rt Hon Orok Otu Duke PhD, has inaugurated a five-day free medical outreach in Calabar, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to public welfare and community health.
The programme, taking place at the Calabar Women and Children Hospital, is designed to bridge the widening healthcare gap faced by residents who struggle to access essential services. The outreach is running from November 24 to 29 and offers a comprehensive suite of interventions, including dental care, eye care, surgical procedures, obstetrics and gynaecology, and general consultations.
Speaking at the flag-off, Rt Hon Duke underscored the NDDC’s duty of care to the region and its alignment with broader public health imperatives. He noted that the exercise reflects the Commission’s resolve to support existing health systems, strengthen resilience and complement government efforts at improving wellbeing. He expressed gratitude to Governor Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his consistent support and acknowledged Mrs Onari Duke for making her Mother and Child Hospital facility available for the initiative, describing the gesture as exemplary and life-saving.
Duke stressed that the outreach arrives at a critical moment, especially as many citizens struggle to access care due to the ongoing strike by resident doctors. According to him, the effort is not competitive but a deliberate social intervention aimed at reducing morbidity, promoting preventive health practices and enhancing quality of life across the state.
Volunteer physician Dr Abiye Kalaiwo praised the programme, noting that it has offered clinical relief to patients who have long awaited such an opportunity. He highlighted the value of community-based interventions in improving health outcomes, especially in underserved populations.
Beneficiaries have commended the organisers for providing free medical examinations, treatments, counselling and prescribed medications. Many described the initiative as timely and humane, offering a crucial safety net at a time of heightened need.
Following the launch, Rt Hon Duke conducted an on-the-spot assessment of service points, interacting with both patients and healthcare workers to ensure smooth delivery of care. He also lauded the medical team, led by Dr Kalaiwo, for their professionalism and the early impact recorded.
The outreach stands as a clear demonstration of the NDDC’s social responsibility mandate, reflecting its strategic intent to safeguard community health and reinforce public trust through targeted humanitarian interventions.
