NDDC donates ambulance, PPE to General Hospital, Iquita-Oron

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Monday donated a brand-new ambulance and Medical Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) to the General Hospital, Iquita, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria.

The gesture, facilitated in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RNI) of the federal government, aligns with NDDC’s mandate of improving healthcare delivery in the Niger Delta region, according to Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, Representative of Akwa Ibom State in the Governing Board of the Commission.

State Representative NDDC, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, delivering his remarks at the event

“NDDC is an organization that thinks and means well for our people, not just Akwa Ibom people but the entire Niger Delta region. We are lucky to have a board with two gentlemen who do all they can to interpret the vision of Mr. President; one is Barr. Chiedu Ebie, the Chairman of the Governing Board, and the second is Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director.

From what is happening today, we can see they are vast in exercising their responsibilities to bring succor to the people of Akwa Ibom State. Today, we are using results to speak for the NDDC,” he stated.

While congratulating the benefiting hospital and advising that the ambulance and PPEs be put to appropriate use, the State Rep assured that more hospitals in the State are in line to benefit from the gesture.

Nkono also appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Government for synergizing with NDDC to boost progress and development in the State.

Bags containing PPE

Executive Director of Projects in NDDC, Hon. Victor Antai, restated the Commission’s commitment to boosting healthcare delivery and urged the hospital to utilize the items judiciously.

He equally hailed the State Government for collaborating with the current dispensation of NDDC. “Whatever we are doing in the NDDC, we are not in competition with the State Government. We are working hand-in-hand to complement their efforts,” Antai emphasized.

Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel Ekem John, acknowledged that the “gesture demonstrates the NDDC’s commitment to improving healthcare services in our facility” and added that “the ambulance will significantly enhance emergency response capabilities, while the PPE will encourage the staff to work diligently without fear of contracting infections.”

He, however, revealed that the hospital lacks an X-ray Machine, a solar-driven water pumping machine, solar power supply for blood banks and incubators, staff welfare bus, ultrasound scanning machine, beds, mattresses, pillows, patient’s trolleys/stretchers, bedside lockers, and bedside chairs.

The Health Commissioner provided background information on the hospital, which was founded in December 1942 by the Methodist Mission: “A major reconstruction and expansion program was undertaken immediately after the Nigerian Civil War from 1970 to 1974 by the organization of Netherlands volunteers as part of the Netherlands Government’s contribution to post-war reconstruction in this country. The hospital was renovated, remodeled, and re-equipped to its present status in 2019 by the Government of His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. It is one of the hospitals recognized for training House Officers, Pharmacist Interns, and Midwives. The hospital caters to the five local government areas in Oro Nation.”

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the items by Apostle Nkono and Hon. Antai to the Health Commissioner, who received them on behalf of the hospital.

Others present included the NDDC State Director, Engr. Evong Evong; NDDC State Director, Mrs. Anthonia Akpan; NDDC Deputy State Directors; Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Sylvester Noah; traditional rulers; and residents of Oron Local Government Area and its environs.

About NDDC

NDDC is a federal government agency established in 2000 to oversee the development of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria.

Its primary objectives are to improve the lives of residents and promote sustainable development in the region.

The NDDC’s mandate is to transform the Niger Delta region, which has faced significant challenges due to oil exploration and environmental degradation.

The commission works to improve the quality of life for residents by addressing infrastructure, economic, environmental, and social challenges.

The NDDC implements various initiatives to achieve its objectives, including building roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.

It also provides medical equipment, constructs health facilities, and promotes health programs to enhance healthcare delivery in the region.

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