More than 6,200 residents of Bauchi State and parts of Jigawa State have benefited from the Federal Government’s medical outreach, anchored by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to alleviate the treatment burden on less privileged Nigerians.

The outreach was organised in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bauchi State Chapter.

Medical care was extended to Itas/Gadau, Jama’are, and Dass LGAs of Bauchi State, and subsequently expanded to Giade/Zabi, Katagum/Madara, Gwaram, and parts of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro. The team offered free consultations, diagnoses, medications, and surgeries to underserved populations.

At Giade/Zabi, 1,224 patients received treatment, with 29 surgical interventions performed by a 44-member team of healthcare professionals. Katagum/Madara witnessed 1,316 patients and 39 surgeries, while Gwaram, a border community in Jigawa State, had 1,060 patients and 33 surgeries performed. An additional 2,000 residents from Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro also benefited from medical services.

Speaking to reporters during the outreach, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad Kabir, a Consultant Gynaecologist, Vice Chairman of NMA Bauchi, and Zonal Coordinator of the outreach, explained that the outreach was a direct response to the growing health needs of the rural communities, many of whom could not afford basic healthcare services due to the current economic realities.

“Our target is to reach over 1,000 patients in each location with at least 50 general surgeries—all at no cost to the beneficiaries,” he said.

He added that they deployed over 20 outpatient doctors and 10 surgeons, supported by nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and health records officers. The results have been overwhelming, both in turnout and the positive feedback from community members.

At Itas/Gadau, the team saw 886 patients and conducted 17 surgeries, while Jama’are recorded 1,090 consultations and 28 surgeries. In Dass, hosted at the Liman Katagum Primary Health Centre, 773 people received care across general outpatient, pediatric, psychiatric, and even trauma (gunshot) cases.

Residents have lauded the Federal Government and participating health professionals for the life-saving initiative.

“Without this intervention, my son wouldn’t have had the hernia surgery he’s needed for years,” said Malam Musa, a beneficiary from Katagum.