No fewer than 70,000 people across eight local government areas in Kaduna state are to benefit from a free medical outreach organised by the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Mr. Amos Gwamna Magaji.
Blueprint reports that the benefiting local government areas include Kagarko, Jema’a, Kachia, Jaba, Zango Kataf, Kauru, Sanga, and Kaura.
Inspecting the conduct of the exercise which commenced recently at selected Primary Health Care Centres in the eight benefiting local government areas, Mr. Amos Magaji, who is also the member representing Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, stated that beneficiaries would undergo free HIV screening, laboratory investigations, and treatment for Hepatitis B and C, malaria, diabetes, hypertension, and surgical conditions such as hernia, lipoma, hydrocele, and appendicitis. Other services include refraction, issuance of medical glasses, and cataract extractions.
He stated that the initiative, organised in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) aims to alleviate the health challenges faced by vulnerable populations in rural areas due to the ongoing economic crisis and the high cost of drugs and medical supplies.
During the occasion, Mr. Magaji also informed the people that his bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan had passed third reading on the floor of the House of Representatives and has been sent to the Senate for concurrence.
The lawmaker further stated that the Kaduna state government had already handed over the Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital in Kafanchan to the federal government to facilitate the smooth take-off of the centre, which is expected to be included in the 2025 federal budget.