Plateau State Government says it recorded 724 surgical operations, comprising 151 major and 573 minor surgeries, during a two-week free mega medical outreach conducted across the state’s three senatorial zones.
The Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Saturday in Jos while presenting the achievements of the exercise.
He said the outreach attended to 17,603 patients, exceeding the initial target of 6,000 beneficiaries, with no death recorded throughout the program.
According to him, the 151 major surgeries included 26 caesarean deliveries, as well as myomectomies, hysterectomies, prostatectomies, thyroidectomies and orthopaedic procedures.
Ba’amlong said the exercise also recorded 5,033 eye consultations, with 3,588 pairs of eyeglasses distributed and 390 cataract surgeries performed.
He added that 4,857 laboratory investigations were conducted, while 1,334 dental consultations were recorded.
Other dental services provided included 893 scaling and polishing procedures, 263 dental fillings, 867 tooth extractions, 541 dentures and two gum treatments.
The commissioner further disclosed that 457 elderly persons were enrolled in the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) during the outreach.
Giving a breakdown of the beneficiaries across the three senatorial zones, he said the Central Zone recorded 4,294 patients, while the Southern and Northern zones attended to 5,625 and 7,684 patients, respectively.
He explained that the outreach, organized by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, offered general medical consultations, laboratory investigations, eye care and surgeries, dental services, specialist surgical interventions, health education and enrolment into PLASCHEMA.
Ba’amlong described the outcome as evidence of the state government’s commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare, irrespective of residents’ social and economic backgrounds.
He, however, said the completion of the general medical outreach would not signal the end of the intervention, as the programm would continue for another three weeks through specialized and high-tech surgical procedures.
According to him, the next phase will take place at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Potters Specialist Hospital, all in Jos.
He said the specialized interventions would include advanced orthopaedic surgeries, neurological and neurosurgical operations, specialized urological procedures and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries.
The commissioner explained that the extension was designed to provide patients requiring complex surgical procedures with access to treatment without the huge financial burden usually associated with such interventions.
He added that the initiative reflected the government’s determination to extend the benefits of the program beyond routine consultations and basic medical services.
Ba’amlong commended Governor Mutfwang for initiating and supporting the program, describing it as a practical demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the health and welfare of Plateau residents.
He also acknowledged the contributions of management and staff of participating health facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, dentists, optometrists, surgeons, volunteers and other healthcare professionals.
The commissioner appreciated local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, security agencies and the media for their support and cooperation.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to consolidating the achievements of the exercise and ensuring that it contributes to the state’s broader objective of achieving universal health coverage.
The outreach, which commenced on October 19 and ended on November 6, was conducted across Plateau’s three senatorial zones, with seven designated health facilities participating in the exercise.
