The Plateau Government recorded 724 surgical operations, comprising 151 major and 573 minor surgeries, during its two-week free medical outreach across the state’s three senatorial zones.
Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, Commissioner for Health, announced these results on Saturday in Jos while presenting the outreach’s achievements.
He reported that no deaths occurred during the outreach, which served 17,603 patients and surpassed the initial target of 6,000.
Ba’amlong stated that the 151 major surgeries included 26 caesarean deliveries, as well as myomectomies, hysterectomies, prostatectomies, thyroidectomies and orthopaedic procedures.
He added that the outreach provided 5,033 eye consultations, distributed 3,588 pairs of eyeglasses, and performed 390 cataract surgeries.
The commissioner noted that the team conducted 4,857 laboratory investigations and 1,334 dental consultations.
He reported that additional dental services included 893 scaling and polishing procedures, 263 fillings, 867 extractions, 541 dentures, and two gum treatments.
He also said 457 elderly persons enrolled in the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) during the outreach.
Ba’amlong reported that the Central Senatorial Zone served 4,294 patients, while the Southern and Northern zones attended to 5,625 and 7,684 patients, respectively.
He said the outreach, organised by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, offered general medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye care and surgeries, dental services, specialist surgical interventions, health education, and PLASCHEMA enrolment. He described the achievement as a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to improving access to quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of residents’ social and economic circumstances.
The commissioThe commissioner emphasized that the conclusion of the general medical outreach does not mark the end of the intervention. programme would continue for another three weeks through specialised and high-tech surgical interventions at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Potters Specialist Hospital, all in Jos.
He noted that planned interventions will include advanced orthopaedic surgeries, neurological and neurosurgical operations, specialised urological surgeries, and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures. He explained that the specialised phase aims to give patients needing complex surgical procedures access to treatment without the significant financial burden typically associated with such care.
Ba’amlong said the extension shows the government’s commitment to ensuring the outreach’s benefits extend beyond routine consultations and basic medical care.
He commended Mutfwang for initiating and supporting the programme, describing it as a practical demonstration of the administration’s commitment to prioritising residents’ health and welfare.
The commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of management and staff of participating health facilities, as well as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, dentists, optometrists, surgeons, volunteers, and other healthcare professionals. He expressed appreciation to local government chairpersons, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, security agencies, and members of the media for their support and cooperation.tion.
Ba’amlong reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building on the outreach’s achievements and ensuring the intervention contributes to the broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage in the state.
According to the NAN, the outreach, which began on October 19 and ended on November 6, was conducted across the three senatorial zones of Plateau, with seven designated health facilities participating.
