The Federal Capital Territory Administration has provided free medical services to over 3,000 residents in the Bwari area of the FCT as part of the Renewed Hope Medical Mission.

The scope of the medical services provided includes health promotion, antenatal care, immunisation services, free HIV screening, screening for diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell diseases, free dental health services, nutritional assessment, and the distribution of cooking gas and fertilisers, among other things.

Flagging off the free medical outreach in the Bwari Area Council on Friday, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, stressed that the FCT administration is fully committed to meeting not just the people’s health needs, but also providing the best health services to the residents of the FCT.

“Nigeria is one of the African nations with high maternal and child morbidity and mortality resulting from poor ANC attendance, low facility-based delivery, and low uptake of immunisation and family planning services, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

The rapid population expansion, leading to increased demand for health services, has posed serious health challenges to the administration,” she said.

To address some of these identified challenges, the minister emphasised the FCT administration’s commitment to improving the primary healthcare system, including renovation, upgrading, and the building of more primary health centres across the six area councils and employing more healthcare workers.

The minister used the occasion to speak on the importance of ANC attendance, exclusive breastfeeding, and immunisation in preventing childhood diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, pneumonia, pertussis, diphtheria, and measles, as well as the importance of screening for HIV, diabetes, and hypertension, among other things.

We have to ensure that there is no bias. Everyone must enjoy the dividends of democracy under the leadership of Mr President. As we have said, we are not only talking about infrastructure; we have seen how we have transformed Abuja. People are so happy to see how Abuja can now be called the capital city of the nation,” she added.

The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, noted that healthcare is essential to life, adding that the FCT Minister is working to ensure inclusive development and the well-being of the residents of the FCT.

The minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has declared zero tolerance for maternal mortality, meaning that in Abuja, there is no reason for a pregnant woman to die due to childbirth complications. That is why we have brought this programme here. We have even brought our health insurance desk so they can register. Today is just to show them what they will get if they register on our health insurance scheme. Everything we have brought here today will be left at the Bwari General Hospital to encourage people that if the government says so, it will do so.

“Health insurance has been declared free for every pregnant woman in the FCT, not only for the pregnant woman but also for the child that will be delivered. The first year of the child’s life, even if you need a caesarean section, is covered under our health insurance scheme. I believe this brings hope to the people.

“We know the socioeconomic situation of the country right now. The prescription we have provided today is for at least one month for those who are hypertensive, diabetic, and those with other chronic illnesses. You can save the money on your medicine and use it for other things. This is the second Local Government Area we are visiting. Kuje was the first, this is the second, and before the end of the year, we will reach many area councils, including internally displaced persons camps,” she stated.

The Etsu of Bwari, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, who commended the FCTA’s initiative, said, “We’ve never witnessed such a transformation. The FCTA has done a wonderful job. Their vision and dedication have turned our city into a model of progress and sustainability.

This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together for the greater good.”

One of the beneficiaries, Abu Dauda, praised the initiative,
saying, “It’s amazing that we can get these services for free. It means a lot to us. I’ve been worried about my eyes for months, but I have been attended to freely here.”

Another beneficiary, Grace Manzo, expressed her deep gratitude for the free health services provided by the FCTA.

“I am deeply grateful for the exceptional free health services provided by the FCTA. The commitment of the FCTA to ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for all has made a profound difference in my life and the lives of many others.

“Their dedication to public health is truly commendable, and I wholeheartedly appreciate their efforts in making essential medical care available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation,” Manzo said.