No fewer than 3,500 persons will benefit from a free five-day medical mission in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.

The medical mission is being sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide healthcare services to medically underserved rural communities in the region.

The commission’s managing director, Samuel Ogbudu, said the medical mission, which had already taken place in eight states of the region, had seen to the treatment of over two million people in the Niger Delta.

Represented by Eme Inyangabia, assistant director of the Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), he said the mission was the flagship of the commission, serving to endear NDDC to the medically needy communities.

“The medical mission is one of several health programmes of the commission, targeted at changing the health situation and narrative of our people in the region.

“It is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 3, which aspire to achieve universal health coverage and ensure health and well-being for all,” he stated.

Similarly, the executive director of EHSS, George Uzonwanne, said they were looking at 12,000 to 15,000 data points as a particular patient may be treated for more than one ailment.

‘‘We are looking at treating 3,000 to 3,500 patients, but not really the number of patients but the number of data points because one patient may have more than three interventions.

‘‘So, we are looking at between 12,000 and 15,000 data points.

‘‘Treatments will range from things like malaria to things as complex as having fibroid surgery or general surgery,’’ he said.

Mr Uzonwanne added that a team would be on standby to look after patients before they were discharged, and the commission would treat others with more severe ailments in a referral hospital.

(NAN)