By Patrick Ochei
The Delta State health sector is poised for a significant boost as the Sheriff Free Medicare Project for All Deltans (SHEFMEPAD) returns with renewed vigour to deliver free medical and surgical interventions across the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.
According to a press statement issued by the Office of the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Health Monitoring, the revitalised programme will run from March 2026 to February 2027.
The initiative will be officially flagged off on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, located in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
The Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will attend as the Distinguished Guest of Honour and formally declare the programme open. Following the flag-off in Asaba, the intervention will be extended to various locations across the remaining Local Government Areas of the State according to a scheduled rollout.
Dignitaries expected at the inaugural ceremony include the Asagba of Asaba, HRM (Prof) Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, who will serve as Father of the Day; the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, Hon. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, and Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi Ph.D., who will attend as Guests of Honour. The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Omo Ekeanem, will serve as host.
The SHEFMEPAD free medical and surgical intervention programme is powered by the Dr. Awunor Alexander Humanitarian Foundation and the Kelvin Ojonugwa Akpala Foundation, in partnership with the Delta State Government.
SHEFMEPAD was originally introduced during Governor Oborevwori’s governorship campaign as a flagship healthcare initiative aimed at expanding access to quality medical services for all Deltans. The programme laid the foundation for a broader, holistic health policy framework currently being implemented across the State.
Today, Delta State’s health sector continues to record notable progress, with the State Health Insurance Scheme functioning effectively, primary healthcare services strengthened, and secondary and tertiary health institutions playing complementary roles in ensuring a coordinated and efficient healthcare delivery system.
With the re-launch of SHEFMEPAD, the Oborevwori administration reaffirms its commitment to consolidating the gains recorded in the health sector over the past two years. The initiative signals a sustained drive toward achieving a healthcare system that is inclusive, affordable, accessible, and sustainable for all residents of Delta State.
