Federal Ministry of Health, NMA Bauchi conducts Bauchi medical outreach, providing free healthcare to over 2,700 indigents in Bauchi and Jigawa
In a significant effort aimed at enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities, a Bauchi medical outreach programme has provided free medical care to over 2,700 indigent persons across Bauchi State and parts of Jigawa.
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This initiative was championed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bauchi State chapter.
Speaking on the exercise on Wednesday, Dr. Kabiru Mohammed, a Consultant Gynaecologist and Vice Chairman of NMA Bauchi, explained that the intervention was specifically driven by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate. Mohammed, who also served as the Zonal Coordinator of the outreach, disclosed that the gesture was conducted in Itas/Gadau, Jama’are, and Dass Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
It was also extended to parts of Gawram in Jigawa State, aiming to alleviate the healthcare burden on rural populations amid ongoing economic hardship.
Dr. Mohammed outlined the ambitious scope of the programme: “This exercise is targeting about 1,000 patients, including 50 general surgeries, all at no cost, across eleven local governments in Bauchi and Katagum zones, and parts of Gawram Local Government Area, Jigawa State.”
This exercise is targeting about 1,000 patients, including 50 general surgeries, all at no cost, across eleven local governments in Bauchi and Katagum zones, and parts of Gawram Local Government Area, Jigawa State.
Providing specific outcomes, he noted, “At Itas/Gadau, 886 patients were seen, and 17 surgical operations were carried out. Also in Jama’are, 1,090 patients benefited from consultations, while 28 surgeries were conducted.”
He further maintained that another 773 patients received free medical care at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Liman Katagum, in Dass Local Government Area of the state, bringing the total number of beneficiaries beyond the initial target.
The services rendered included general consultations, diagnostics, prescriptions, and various surgical interventions. Mohammed reiterated that the outreach was necessitated by the critical need to serve rural populations who could not afford basic healthcare dueading to economic constraints.
“We deployed over 20 outpatient doctors and 10 surgeons, along with a strong support team drawn from pharmacy, nursing, laboratory services, and medical records,” he added, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the medical team.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that this initiative forms part of a broader national agenda to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and promote universal health coverage in Nigeria.
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It underscores the federal government’s resolve to utilise community driven strategies and robust stakeholder partnerships to reach Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to essential health services.
