The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has begun the distribution of vaccines, cold chains and other related medical equipment to all the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
At the flag-off ceremony which held at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Port Harcourt, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Efiong Akwa, stressed the importance of ensuring good healthcare for communities within the region.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the commission’s Chief Executive Officer stated that in pursuit of its mandate, the Commission had continued to support the Niger Delta states in their drive to address the health concerns and interests of the people of the region.
According to him, “the Commission is distributing vaccines that are relevant in addressing vaccine-preventable diseases of public health importance in the region such as the Hepatitis B and Typhoid vaccines.”
Receiving the vaccines and equipment, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike, said:
“The vaccines and cold chain equipment are very important for the health of our people. The vaccines are meant to make people well and the Rivers State Government does not play with health matters. We all recognise the fact that health is wealth.”
He thanked the NDDC for what he described as a laudable programme for the health sector and further implored the commission to always liaise with the State Government so as not to duplicate efforts in the sector.
The items donated included healthcare waste incinerators, walk-in cold rooms, solar direct drive refrigerators among others.
