Over 400 Delta children living with autism and other special needs, as well as their caregivers have benefitted from the second round of the You Matter Charity Foundation’s ( YMCF) free medical outreach across the state.

Tobore Oborevwori, Wife of Delta State Governor and Founder, YMCF, revealed this when she took the free medical outreach to Isoko Federal Constituency of the State and call for increased acceptance and inclusion of children living with autism and other special needs.

At the event held at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area secretariat, the YMCF’s founder explained that the initiative was designed not only to provide free medical services, but also to break the stigma and discrimination associated with autism and other special needs.

“Children living with autism and other special needs are uniquely gifted. They deserve to be embraced, protected and given every opportunity to realise their God-given potentials”, she said.

She explained that the foundation was established to restore hope to vulnerable persons, through compassionate interventions that improve their quality of life.

The governor’s wife said that beneficiaries received free medical consultations, health screening, medications, specialist care, counselling services and essential assistive materials, adding that the foundation remained committed to ensuring that no child was left behind.

She disclosed that the Isoko outreach was the fourth in the series after successful programmes in the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie, Ethiope and Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituencies.

Governor Oborevwori, who expressed satisfaction with the impact of the programme observed that many more families still required support.

She maintained that caring for children with special needs is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of government, healthcare professionals, communities, faith-based organisations, the private sector and well-meaning individuals.

She thanked the Chairmen of Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas, their wives, traditional rulers, community leaders, development partners, volunteers and caregivers for supporting the outreach.

She also commended Joseph Onojaeme, Commissioner for Health, the Management and Staff of the Delta State Ministry of Health and members of the medical team for their commitment even as she expressed optimism that the outreach would be extended to all federal constituencies in the State.

In his remarks, Onojaeme lauded the wife of the governor for her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children living with autism and other special needs through the foundation.

He described the outreach, as a timely intervention that complemented the State Government’s efforts to providing quality healthcare for vulnerable groups, noting that the initiative had brought hope and relief to many families across the State.

Earlier, Lawrentta Ogbedo, Director-General of the foundation, described the outreach as another demonstration of the compassion and humanitarian vision of Oborevwori, the foundation’s founder.

Ogbedo disclosed that the foundation had so far distributed 4-interactive boards, educational toys, flashcards, therapy balls and other learning materials, as well as 69 wheelchairs and mobility devices, adding that over 270 bags of rice and other food items had also been distributed to vulnerable families.

In his welcome address, Prince Ogorugba, the Executive Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, on behalf of himself and Warri Oyoke, the chairman, Isoko South,, described the outreach, as a historic humanitarian intervention that had brought hope to families across the Isoko Federal Constituency, noting that the humanitarian work and Governor Oborevwori’s “MORE Agenda”, complemented each other in promoting inclusive governance and improving the welfare of the people.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the wife of the Governor, as caregivers highlighted the level of physical and financial burden that have been lifted off their shoulders through the outreach.