The second batch of fellows under the National Health Fellows Programme paid a courtesy visit to Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, on Monday, February 16, 2026. The meeting, held ahead of their official inauguration scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, served as an opportunity for the young professionals to introduce themselves and discuss their planned contributions to grassroots healthcare delivery in the senatorial district.
Senator Dafinone, who has been a consistent supporter of health initiatives in Delta Central, welcomed the fellows warmly. He reflected on the tangible impact made by the first batch of fellows, whom he backed throughout their engagement period. That earlier cohort focused primarily on raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension—two prevalent non-communicable diseases that frequently remain undiagnosed until severe complications arise.
Through community outreach efforts, the first batch organised free medical screenings, conducted health education campaigns, and facilitated access to essential medications. Local residents in various communities across Delta Central benefited significantly, with many discovering elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels for the first time. These interventions have helped promote early detection, which is critical in reducing risks of life-threatening conditions such as stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, and other complications associated with unmanaged hypertension and diabetes.
In a region where routine health check-ups are not yet a widespread habit for many households, such proactive measures represent a vital step forward. Preventive education also empowers individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, including better dietary choices, regular physical activity, and consistent self-monitoring.
The National Health Fellows Programme, an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aims to strengthen primary healthcare systems nationwide. Launched to deploy young professionals to all 774 local government areas, the programme recruits individuals aged 25–35 from diverse backgrounds—including health-related fields, information technology, and social sciences—for a 12-month fellowship.
Fellows undergo rigorous training, structured fieldwork, mentorship, and leadership development to become catalysts for change. Their core focus includes preventive care, community engagement, data-driven health interventions, and leadership in addressing local health challenges. By embedding trained fellows in communities, the programme seeks to bring healthcare closer to the people, catch illnesses early, bridge gaps in service delivery, and foster sustainable improvements in health outcomes.
During the courtesy visit, Senator Dafinone commended the competitive selection process that brought the new fellows on board, highlighting their demonstrated competence and leadership potential. He encouraged them to approach their assignments with discipline, purpose, and a commitment to building on the successes of their predecessors. He stressed the importance of deepening community impact, tailoring interventions to specific local needs, and collaborating effectively with existing health structures.
Public health experts have repeatedly highlighted the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, driven by factors such as urbanisation, dietary shifts, sedentary lifestyles, and limited access to routine screening. Community-based programmes like this one serve as essential complements to overburdened hospitals and primary health centres, emphasising prevention, early intervention, and data collection to inform policy and resource allocation.
With inauguration set for the following day, attention now turns to fieldwork and implementation. The fellows are expected to engage directly with communities in Delta Central—covering local government areas such as Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Okpe, Sapele, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Uvwie, and others—delivering screenings, education, advocacy, and support services.
For residents in Delta Central, the continued presence of these trained fellows promises enhanced access to reliable health information, regular screenings, early support, and a stronger preventive healthcare culture. If sustained and scaled effectively, the programme could significantly reduce avoidable complications from chronic conditions, improve overall community well-being, and contribute to Nigeria's broader goals of accessible, qualitative, and equitable healthcare delivery.
Senator Dafinone's ongoing partnership with the National Health Fellows underscores his dedication to health sector renewal at the grassroots level, aligning federal initiatives with local realities to create lasting change in Delta Central.
