The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Niger state chapter, has offered free surgical intervention and medical services to about 340 indigents at Busu community, in Lavun local government area of Niger state.
Speaking shortly after the medical and surgical outreach on Saturday at Busu, Dr Mohammed Yusuf, Chairman of NMA, Niger state chapter who is also a staff at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida explained that 282 patients benefitted from free medical consultations.
He disclosed that 16 patients had general surgeries, while 42 had obstetric scanning done to them.
“This is our physicians week, it is time to give back to the society and part of of it is that we want to see how we can render free medical services.
“Healthcare delivery in Nigeria is not something that only government can do and healthcare financing out of pocket is the one that people are used to. You pay from your pocket and to reduce that out of pocket health care financing that is why we come out render such free medical services to our people,” Dr Yusuf said.
According to him, the medical interventions to the people of Busu community and its environs is an annual event where members of the association reach out to the indigent as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Dr Yusuf said the association is doing its best annually to see how they can help indigent people with health challenges.
He pointed out that Busu community is an agrarian community with many aged citizens, adding that some of the common health challenges observed included hypertension, diabetes, malaria and hernia.
He listed some of the surgical procedures that were performed to include surgeries for hernia, lipoma and hydrocele, among others.
The NMA chairman advise people to always make out time for medical evaluation, adding that early detection of ailments can save lives.
Yusuf enjoined the government to partner more with the association so as to reach as many communities as possible and assist them in their various health challenges.
In his appreciation remark, a relative of one of the old patients who received surgical intervention, commended the doctors for their humanitarian gestures and for saving his son’s life.
Also speaking, Hajiya Fatima Idris-Busu, Alhaji Usman Mohammed-Somaji, commended the doctors for sacrificing their time out of their tight scheduled to come and offer them free medical services.
They said the gesture is timely considering the present economic hardship being faced by the people and prayed God to always be their strength and guide in the discharge of their duties.
