Atlanta, U.S-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Delta Doctors in Diaspora (DDD), yesterday expressed its preparedness to provide free drugs and other medical care for over 7,000 victims, including women and children, affected by the military operation of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta at Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State between May and June this year.

President of the group, Dr. (Mrs.) Isioma Okoba, made the disclosure in an online interview from Atlanta, Georgia.

She said the health assistance programme, being proposed by the doctors, would enable those affected in the military action overcome what she called “traumatic stress syndrome,” which is the summation of the negative effects of the military action in the Niger Delta.

Dr. Okoba explained that the package would complement the efforts of the state government in cushioning the effects of the offensive, with a view to rehabilitating victims.

She commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his quick response in providing relief materials and rehabilitation programme for the integration of victims.

Okoba also acknowledged the contributions of the state Commissioner for Health, Mr. Joseph Otumara, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, towards the successful implementation of the

rehabilitation programme.Dr. Okoba explained that issues relating to stress and trauma occasioned by the military action prompted the group to come up with a health assistance programme that would complement government’s effort in tackling the problems.

She, however, praised the federal government for granting amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta as a prelude to an enduring solution to the lingering crises, stressing the need for the federal government to also work out a more achievable action plan to take care of the post-amnesty period.