More than 1,000 residents of Suleja in Niger State have benefited from a free medical outreach aimed at bringing essential healthcare services closer to the people.
The exercise provided beneficiaries with free medical consultations, medications, cervical and breast cancer screening, as well as other health tests.
The outreach was organised by the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency, NiSPHFA, in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, PPFN, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, ANPMP, and NMA Kolo Foundation.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Chairman of NiSPHFA, Dr Abdullahi Suleiman, said the programme was part of efforts to implement Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s New Niger Health Agenda, particularly its focus on accessible, affordable and quality healthcare.
Dr Suleiman urged residents to take advantage of the free services, while advising them to maintain proper hygiene, patronise accredited health facilities and avoid unqualified medical practitioners.
The outreach also featured awareness and screening for cervical and breast cancer, with women advised to promptly report unusual symptoms such as persistent vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge, breast lumps and unusual breast discharge.
The North-Central Coordinator of PPFN, Abdullahi Mohammed Muregi, said the organisation, which began operations in Nigeria in 1958, currently operates 41 hospitals nationwide, seven of which are located in Niger State.
He said the organisation focuses largely on women and children’s health, including cancer prevention, family planning, personal hygiene and treatment of minor ailments.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ANPMP, Suleja Branch, Dr D.N. Okechukwu, disclosed that the screening identified a young woman with dangerously high blood pressure, who was immediately referred to Suleja General Hospital.
He also revealed that a 16-year-old girl with a large breast lump was identified and referred for further medical attention, pledging support for her treatment if necessary.
Beneficiaries described the intervention as timely, saying the free consultations, tests and medications had reduced the financial burden of accessing healthcare.
The Medical Director of Suleja General Hospital, Dr Mohammed B. Wasagi, also commended the state government and the collaborating organisations, saying community-based interventions such as the outreach were helping residents access healthcare services promptly while reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
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