A team of more than 40 medical professionals from the United States has embarked on a week-long free medical outreach across five communities in Delta State, Nigeria.
The initiative, organised by the
collaboration between NIFER Touch Life Foundation, Delta State Government, Sunshine Care Initiative (USA), and You Matter Charity Foundation, other partners are targeting underserved patients requiring surgeries.
The initiative began on June 7 in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
Led by renowned U.S.-based Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr Sandea Harris-Greene, the outreach targeted underserved and indigent patients suffering from various conditions particularly those requiring surgeries such as goitre, fibroid, hernia, lipoma, and knee replacement.
The team rendered services in Osubi on June 9, Orerokpe on June 10, Eku and Kokori on June 11 and 12, with the final stop scheduled for Obiaruku on June 13, 2025.
In his opening remarks, at Osubi, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor, commended the initiative as a vital support to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, especially in healthcare delivery.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, represented by Dr. Yinkore Paul of the State Primary Health Development Agency, lauded the programme as a groundbreaking collaboration.
He described the visiting team as “intimidating, daring, and a beauty to behold,”expressing hope that their work would further the state’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Chairman of Okpe Local Government Area, Chief Isaiah Esiovwa, called the outreach a major boost to his administration’s efforts in strengthening primary healthcare and expressed interest in hosting the team again for future missions.
Mine Aragbata-Etuk, Convener and Founder of the NIFER Touch Life Foundation and Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, thanked the state government and partners for their support.
She emphasised that the outreach reflects the foundation’s deep commitment to the well-being and dignity of Deltans.
“This programme is not just about treating illnesses, it’s about restoring dignity, offering hope, and showing our people that their lives matter,” she said.
The outreach highlighted the power of partnerships between local stakeholders and international organisations in delivering life-changing healthcare to rural and underserved populations.
