Bayelsa announces free health checks at govt hospitals

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Ministry of Health to offer free quarterly health checks to all citizens across the state's eight Local Government Areas. This initiative was announced during a special thanksgiving service at Saint John’s Anglican Church in Olobiri, Kaiama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

Speaking at the event, Diri emphasized that the free medical checkups would help those who cannot afford healthcare access essential services in government-run secondary facilities. He stated, "I hereby direct the Honourable Commissioner for Health to commence a free health check across Bayelsa State, in all our secondary healthcare facilities across our different local government areas.

This is particularly for those that are unable to afford it. They should go for free medical checkup, which should be quarterly so that the place will not be congested." ARH-226M also inaugurated 21 Local Government Area coordinators ahead of the 2027 elections. Diri urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity and visit the nearest secondary health center, where the Commissioner for Health will provide details and announcements for the exercise.

The governor expressed gratitude to God for the recovery of King Mozi Agara, the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, and called on people to honor their traditional leaders, who he described as custodians of peace and order.