Governor Diri Orders Free Quarterly Health Checks Across Bayelsa

According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Monday October 12, 2026, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Ministry of Health to provide free quarterly medical check-ups for residents across the state’s eight local government areas.

Diri gave the directive on Sunday at St John’s Anglican Church in Olobiri, Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, during a special thanksgiving service for the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Agara.

The governor said the programme would allow residents who could not afford medical examinations to access healthcare services at government secondary health facilities.

“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,” Diri said.

He said the checks would be conducted every three months, making them available to residents on a quarterly basis. The directive covers secondary healthcare facilities across the state’s local government areas.

The governor’s announcement places responsibility for implementing the programme on the Ministry of Health.

The ministry is expected to organise the check-ups through government facilities, although details such as the start date, range of examinations and registration process were not included in the information provided.

The initiative is intended to improve access to routine medical examinations, particularly for people who might otherwise be unable to pay for them.

Regular checks can help residents monitor their health and seek medical attention when needed.

Diri made the announcement during the thanksgiving service held in honour of King Mozi Agara. The event took place at the Anglican church in Olobiri, within the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

The governor’s directive calls for the service to extend beyond one community, covering secondary health facilities in all eight local government areas.

Residents will therefore be able to access the planned checks through government facilities in their respective areas, subject to the programme’s implementation arrangements.

The state government’s plan, as outlined by Diri, is to make free health checks available regularly rather than as a one-off exercise.

The quarterly schedule is intended to give residents recurring opportunities to access medical examinations without paying for the service.

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