The Zamfara State government has concluded the third phase of its free modified outreach programme, treating a total of 2,213 individuals.
The third phase of the programme lasted between February 23 and 25, 2024, according to a statement by Sulaiman Bala Idris, the spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal.
According to him, the special modified medical outreach programme began in July 2023, providing free medical services to individuals with cataract extraction, groin swellings such as hernia and hydroceles, Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) repairs and health education.
“Governor Lawal’s administration launched a free modified medical outreach programme to provide medical assistance to vulnerable individuals,” said Idris, in a statement made available to The Guardian. “The programme offers free medical treatment for people suffering from common surgical conditions such as cataracts, hernia, hydroceles and VVF.
“Besides medical assistance, the programme also educates citizens on the importance of maintaining good health and wellness.”
He also disclosed that tele-screening was used to provide specialist care to patients from the rural and semi-urban areas of the state, which has 14 local government areas, adding that the use of technology, such as tele-screening “has enabled patients in remote locations to receive the medical attention they need from qualified professionals.”
He also stated that the “operated cases include 876 groin swellings and lumps, 931 cataract extractions, and 84 Vesico-Vaginal/rectal Fistula,” adding that “tThe dedicated centres for the outreach are General Hospital Gusau, King Fahad General Hospital, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital while all special cases are referred to the Federal Medical Centre Gusau.”
